President Erdoğan made remarks on Turkey’s foreign policy and international issues in an interview with Reuters
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made remarks on Turkey’s foreign policy, regional developments and international issues in an interview with Reuters at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul.
Asked about Turkey’s procurement of S-400 defense systems, President Erdoğan said Turkey must take this step for the peace in the region and that S-400 is not an offense but a defense system. Highlighting that S-400 defense systems have nothing to do with F-35 fighter jets, President Erdoğan went on to say: “We have made all our examinations. Because, it is, in the end, a defense system. While Mr. Trump understands all this, it is impossible to think that the sanction threats reflect the facts. We are paying for them. We have paid 1.35 billion dollars for F-35s. We are in fact a partner and producer of F-35s.” Noting that he will address these issues with President Donald Trump of the U.S. on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Erdoğan added that Turkey will search for other alternatives if the F-35 negotiations end in deadlock.
TURKEY-RUSSIA-IRAN TRILATERAL SUMMIT
On the Turkey-Russia-Iran Trilateral Summit to be held in Ankara next Monday, President Erdoğan said he will also hold bilateral talks with the leaders of Iran and Russia, and that what matters the most is to put an end to the migration from the region, ensure ceasefire and effectively neutralize terrorist organizations therein. Pointing to Turkey’s support for the people in Idlib through the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), President Erdoğan added that although Turkey is also hosting 3.6 million refugees, it will be impossible for it to take millions of other people who will come from the region. Underscoring that the European Union has not delivered on its promises about refugees, President Erdoğan said that Turkey, having spent thus far 40 billion dollars for this issue, cannot remain silent against the EU’s attitude any longer. Recalling his talk with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Erdoğan stated that he also held a talk with President Emmanuel Macron of France, adding that a quadrilateral summit might be held in Turkey early October with the participation of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France on this issue.
“SAFE ZONE ISSUE IS TURNING INTO A POLICY OF STALLING”
On the establishment of a safe zone, President Erdoğan said he will once again discuss the issue with President Trump of the U.S., and that the establishment of a safe zone will enable the refugees in Turkey to return to their homeland and to benefit from the facilities to be provided there in terms of education, health and accommodation. Recalling that the PYD/YPG terrorist organization is an extension of the PKK terrorist organization, President Erdoğan stated that Western countries, however, do not believe this although Turkey has proved it with all the documents and photographs. Mentioning Mr. Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. forces from east of the Euphrates, President Erdoğan highlighted that this has yet to happen, and added: “Unfortunately, it seems to be that the pursuit of a safe zone does not meet our expectations. It is turning into a policy of stalling. And, we cannot comprehend whether this policy of stalling is some kind of a test for our patience, but frankly speaking, we are running out of patience. If that happens, we will have to go our own way.”
“OUR INTERLOCUTOR IS RUSSIA ON THE ISSUE OF OBSERVATION POSTS IN IDLIB”
Further stressing that Turkey will not allow a terror corridor along its borders, President Erdoğan highlighted that whatever is necessary will be done to that end. Saying that it is impossible for Turkey to withdraw from the observation posts in Idlib, President Erdoğan added that Syria is not Turkey’s interlocutor on the issue of observation posts, and that these works are mainly carried out with Russia, and with Iran partially. “Turkey acts in line with the Sochi Agreement,” said the President, noting that the observations posts aim at protecting the civilians in Idlib. Referring to the Syrian regime’s attacks therein, President Erdoğan stressed: “We also consider these attacks to be a risk of a new refugee flow into our country and a threat to the political resolution process.”
EXPLORATION WORKS IN EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Responding to a question on Cyprus and Turkey’s drilling activities in the eastern Mediterranean, President Erdoğan, recalling that Turkey, Greece and the United Kingdom are guarantor countries on the Cyprus issue, voiced the injustices made against the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) during the EU accession process of the Greek Cypriot side, and said: “Since then, this unjust approach, which does not recognize law or rights, has been threatening the world’s peace. There are designated areas around Cyprus and there are places where Turkey can carry out exploration works, and also places where the Greek Cypriot side can carry out exploration works. But, what are they doing? They want to completely deprive the TRNC of all this. There is no such thing in the international law. It will get whatever its right is according to its population. So will the Greek Cypriot side. However, countries which have nothing to do with these seas seek to have a say on them. This is where the root of the problem lies.”
