President Erdoğan: Akkuyu NPP will significantly contribute to our development
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed citizens during the opening ceremony of the newly-built facilities in Mersin.
Stating that he inspected the ongoing construction site of Akkuyu nuclear power plant in advance of the opening ceremony in the city, President Erdoğan said that the first reactor of the power plant would be made operational in 2023.
Underlining that there are currently 443 active nuclear power plants in 32 countries and 51 NPPs under construction in 19 countries across the world, President Erdoğan stated: “The facility in Akkuyu will significantly contribute to our development through electricity generation, to the nature through lower carbon emissions, and to our efforts in this area through its technology. At a time when climate change is debated more and more widely, nuclear plants are still the most important alternative energy sources for countries like ours.”
“WE HAVE WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS MILLIONS OF DOWNTRODDEN PEOPLE”
Turkey has put all of its means and resources at the disposal of its citizens while tens of millions of people have been displaced across the region and the world due to internal conflicts, political instability, economic troubles and lack of social peace, the President said. “We have not contented ourselves with meeting the needs and ensuring the security of our own citizens alone. We have also welcomed with open arms millions of downtrodden people who have taken refuge in our country.”
Describing Mersin as a city with a dignified stance which warmly welcomes oppressed people despite the heavy migration burden originating from its southern neighbors, President Erdoğan stressed that Mersin – which embraced throughout history people of all walks, faiths and dispositions – is doing today as well what befits it. Adding, however, that Turkey cannot bear this burden on its own forever, President Erdoğan stated: “It is high time the circles that have to share burden regarding this issue took more realistic and tangible steps. We have done and will continue to do what our understanding of brotherhood and humanity requires us to do. There is no other country which has been as principled as Turkey and made as much sacrifices as Turkey has done in the face of tragedies that previously took place in Iraq and then in Syria, Libya, Karabakh and now in Afghanistan. However, we will not allow this attribute of ours to be exploited by those seeking to use it as an instrument to selfishly safeguard their own security and prosperity. In the period ahead, we will continue our initiatives needed for a more just and equitable sharing of burden.”
