President Erdoğan: The star and crescent now proudly flies in the skies of Karabakh following a 44-day-long uphill struggle

 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference at Esenboğa Airport in Ankara before departing for an official visit to Azerbaijan at the invitation of President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan.

“AZERBAIJAN’S VICTORY HAS LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE FURTHER STRENGTHENING OF OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS”

Noting that the Azerbaijani army liberated the Nagorno-Karabakh from occupation as a result of an epic battle it waged throughout 44 days on its own lands, President Erdoğan underlined that Azerbaijani President Aliyev’s wise leadership and the Azerbaijani army’s valor are the main pillars of this victory. 

“Thanks be to Allah, the star and crescent now proudly flies in the skies of Karabakh following a 44-day-long uphill struggle,” underscored the President, stressing that Turkey, as a necessity of the two countries’ shared history, culture, faith and language, supported with all its capabilities Azerbaijan’s just cause from the very beginning and thus contributed to the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh and other Azerbaijani lands under occupation.

“Azerbaijan’s victory has laid the groundwork for the further strengthening of our bilateral relations and cooperation,” said the President, adding that Turkey will also continue to stand by the brotherly Azerbaijan in its efforts for the redevelopment of the newly liberated lands.

“THE EU HAS NEVER HONORED ITS PROMISES”

Answering a question about Turkey’s possible stance if EU leaders decide to impose sanctions on Turkey at the summit on December 10-11, President Erdoğan said: “Decisions to impose sanctions on Turkey wouldn’t be much of a concern to Turkey. Officially, from 1963 onwards, the EU has already been implementing sanctions on us continuously. The EU has never acted honestly. The EU has never honored its promises. We, however, have always been patient. We are still exercising patience.  We will all see what steps and decisions they will take. Sincere and honest leaders already stand firm and don’t favor such an approach against Turkey.”

“WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT OUR RIGHTS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN”

In response to a question about Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ remarks that Athens turned the Turkey-Greece row into a Turkey-EU dispute, President Erdoğan underlined it is the Greek side that keeps abandoning talks and negotiations, and further stressed: “We will continue to protect our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean. We will also continue to protect the rights of the TRNC. Any concession about these issues is out of the question. That said, we will also continue to sit at the table if Greece, as a neighbor, acts honestly.”

“I AM NO STRANGER TO BIDEN; WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER CLOSELY SINCE THE OBAMA ERA”

Answering a question about Turkey’s future relations with the new U.S. administration, President Erdoğan said: “I am no stranger to Biden. We have known each other closely since the Obama era. He even had come all the way to my home and visited me at my home when I was ill. Our party spokesperson, Mr. Ömer Çelik, was also present during that visit.”

Noting that it would be too early to make statements on the future relations between Turkey and the new U.S. administration, President Erdoğan, however, pointed out that Turkey, which is a major NATO member, doesn’t approve of U.S. steps regarding the east of the Euphrates in Syria and Turkey’s weapons procurement.