“Our sole purpose is the establishment of peace and stability in our region”

 

Addressing AK Party’s parliamentary group meeting, President Erdoğan said: “Our sole purpose is the establishment of peace and stability in every inch of our region, starting from Syria, in a strong manner. Syria’s security and peace might be of secondary concern for others. We, on the other hand, cannot have such a luxury with a country with which we have a 910-kilometer-long border.”

President and Justice and Development (AK) Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the party’s parliamentary group meeting.

Commencing his speech by wishing Allah’s mercy upon the 11 citizens, who lost their lives in an explosion that took place the previous day in the Karesi district of Balıkesir, President Erdoğan also wished a speedy recovery to the injured, and extended his condolences to and wished patience for their families and relatives.

Also drawing attention to the reports that an Azerbaijan Airlines plane has crashed this morning near the Kazakh city Aktau, President Erdoğan extended his condolences on behalf of the Turkish nation to the two brotherly countries.

“SYRIA WAS DRAGGED INTO A CLIMATE OF GREAT CHAOS AND INSTABILITY”

Underscoring that due to a policy of massacre pursued for over 13 years, Türkiye’s neighbor Syria was dragged into a climate of great chaos and instability, President Erdoğan stated that cities, villages and historical artifacts, which are the best examples of the Islamic civilization, have been bombed, destroyed, and that Türkiye’s 1 million brothers and sisters have been died a martyr’s death during either the massacres of the regime or its supporters, or the attacks of such terrorist organizations as DAESH and PKK.

Stating that since the incidents in Syria erupted, they have embraced a policy that focusses on compassion and justice, and that their biggest supporters during this particular 13-year period has been the Turkish nation, which has protected and embraced Syrian refugees, President Erdoğan said: “Our Syrian brothers and sisters, on the other hand, have sought to heal their wounds on one hand, and have worked to contribute to Türkiye and our economy on the other. We have achieved a mobilization of cooperation that will set an example for the entire world.”

“A NEW PAGE HAS NOW BEEN TURNED FOR SYRIA”

Further stressing that with the collapse of the BAAS regime after a 61-year-long oppression and the escape of Assad from Syria and with Syrian revolutionists gaining control in Damascus, a new page has now been turned for this country, President Erdoğan went on to say: “During the operation, Türkiye has made necessary interventions in order to prevent further bloodshed and in order for conflicts to not spread to other areas. That the 13-year-long insurgency has been crowned with victory in 12 days is an extraordinary success all by itself. And the credit for this success belongs to Allah firstly, and then to our Syrian brothers and sisters. The Syrian people has saved their country from the clutches of a gang of massacre. They have now taken a road during which they will decide their future on their own with all their ethnic, sectarian and religious segments.”

 “We are delighted to see the free Syrian flag next to our star-crescent flag in Aleppo, Damascus, Hama, Homs, Daraa and Manbij. We get delighted and pleased whenever we look at Syrian oppressed people’s eyes that are shining with hope after long years. We as their brothers and sisters as well as their neighbors are genuinely delighted to see the freedom sun rising over Syria after a 61-year-long BAAS darkness,” President Erdoğan added.

Stating that the total cost of the Assad oppression and war in Syria nears 500 billion dollars according to the United Nations reports, President Erdoğan went on to say: “It is impossible for a war-torn Syria to overcome such a burden all by itself without the support of the international community. The Arab and Islamic world should spearhead the reconstruction of Syria, and set an example for other countries. Just as we have never left our Syrian brothers and sisters alone for 13 years, we will stand with them with all our capacity from now on as well.”

“WE WILL SUPPORT SYRIA IN EVERY AREA THEY NEED”

Drawing attention to the visits of first MIT Director and then the Minister of Foreign Affairs to Damascus and the reopening of the Turkish Embassy there, President Erdoğan noted that all relevant ministries, institutions, municipalities and nongovernmental organizations are in an intensive preparation, and continued as follows: “We will reopen our Consulate Generate in Aleppo soon. We see that the leader of the new administration, Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been managing this process pretty well, and receiving appreciation for his moderate and constructive messages. We will support Syria in every area they need, from energy, transportation, urbanization and education to healthcare, security and trade. We will contribute to the new administration for the recovery of Syria, strengthening of its institutional capacity and in order for the state to become capable of fulfilling its basic duties. We as Türkiye will preserve our uncompromising stance against the attacks against its territorial integrity. Those who seek to exploit this process will face us as well as the Syrian people. We are determined to crush terrorist organizations, DAESH and PKK in particular, which threaten the future of both countries.”

“The separatist murderers will either lay down their arms or get buried in Syrian lands with their arms. We will eliminate the terrorist organization that seeks to build a wall of blood between us and our Kurdish brothers and sisters,” President Erdoğan stressed.

Underscoring that DAESH is a source of threat that has to be eliminated for not just Western countries, but also for Syria, Iraq and Türkiye, President Erdoğan said: “The only NATO ally that has fought hand-to-hand against this savage group is Türkiye. Therefore, no one can lecture us on this issue, or draw a line to us over it. Our sole purpose is the establishment of peace and stability in every inch of our region, starting from Syria, in a strong manner. Syria’s security and peace might be of secondary concern for others. We, on the other hand, cannot have such a luxury with a country with which we have a 910-kilometer-long border. The more quickly Syria stands up on its own feet and recovers, the more quickly the voluntary return of our homesick brothers and sisters will be.”