President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered remarks at a meeting with the board members of Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD) in Istanbul

 

Stating that MÜSİAD has made irreplaceable contributions to the Turkish economy and democracy since 1990, President Erdoğan highlighted  the share, contributions and efforts of MÜSİAD members in country's achievements in a wide range of areas from economy to foreign trade, from production to the expansion of rights and freedoms, and said: “I would like to take this occasion to once again thank all my brothers and sisters who have contributed to the development of our country and the strengthening of the national will under the roof of MÜSİAD for 34 years. I remember with mercy the members of MÜSİAD who have passed away.”

“WE HAVE HALTED EXPORT AND IMPORT TRANSACTIONS WITH ISRAEL”

Congratulating the MÜSİAD family for their aid to the people of Gaza, which has been subjected to genocide by Israel since October 7, President Erdoğan said: “Türkiye ranks first in the world with nearly 50 thousand tons of humanitarian aid supplies sent to Gaza. In order to force Israel to agree to a ceasefire and to increase the amount of humanitarian aid it allows to pass through, we have taken some commercial measures. In the first place, we imposed export restrictions on 54 product groups. As of yesterday, we have halted export and import transactions with Israel, covering all products. We will manage the consequences of this step in coordination and consultation with our business community. I want it to be known that we do not seek hostility or strife with any country in our region. As I have stated at every opportunity, we do not want to see conflict, bloodshed or tears in our geography.”

“We have only one goal here, and that is to force the Netanyahu administration, which is out of control with the unconditional military and diplomatic support of the West, into a ceasefire. If a ceasefire is declared and sufficient humanitarian aid is allowed to enter Gaza, the goal will already be achieved. Türkiye's move will set an example for other countries that are concerned with the current picture,” President Erdoğan said.