President Erdoğan: The world is a place of trial, economic difficulties come and go.

24.02.2025 20:41

President Erdoğan delivered a striking message regarding the economy after the Cabinet meeting. Erdoğan stated, "Economic difficulties come and go, but our solidarity remains. Troubles come and go, but our affection will last forever. Sorrows come and go, but the prayers of the oppressed, whose tears we wipe away, will stay with us. The world is a place of trial."

The Cabinet meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Erdoğan. After the meeting, where critical topics were discussed, President Erdoğan addressed the cameras. One of the most striking messages from Erdoğan was regarding the economy.

ERDOĞAN: "ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES COME AND GO"

Erdoğan stated, "Economic difficulties come and go, but our solidarity remains. Troubles come and go, but our affection will last forever. Sorrows come and go, but the prayers of the oppressed, whose tears we wipe away, will stay with us. The world is a place of trial. We are determined to pass this trial with our heads held high. We are striving to produce lasting works for our country, our nation, and all civilizations in our region."

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"We are patiently continuing our struggle to build a great and strong Turkey, day and night. We consulted on many issues, such as the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, the visa problems of our citizens, and matters concerning the Turkish community in Germany, with the President of Germany. We were drawing attention to the extreme right movements, such as anti-immigrant and anti-Islam sentiments. Unfortunately, in many recent elections, our concerns have proven to be justified. One of the reasons for this is the inability of European center politics to read the spirit of the times correctly. The liberal democracy, which was attractive in the last century, has entered a serious crisis and deadlock. Liberal democracy has lost its former strength, reputation, and influence."

"EXTREME RIGHT MOVEMENTS HAVE BECOME DETERMINANTS OF POLITICS IN EUROPE"

Like life, politics does not tolerate a vacuum. This is the situation in the West. In the recent elections in Europe, extreme right demagogues are filling the void. Western institutions and leaders, who watched the massacre of more than 61,000 civilians, have failed in the humanitarian test in Gaza. Extreme right movements have now become decisive in European politics. We place great importance on the peace and well-being of our citizens living in Europe for 4-5 generations. We are closely monitoring developments to ensure that the reality of the extreme right does not pose a threat to Turkish and Muslim Europeans.

"THE EU NEEDS TURKEY"

We value the fact that our relations with the EU are regaining their former rhythm. Only Turkey can save the EU from the deadlock it has entered in terms of economy and defense, and Turkey's full membership can rescue it. The earlier the EU faces these realities, the better it will be for them. As always, we are thinking of advancing the membership process based on mutual benefit and respect with a constructive understanding. The EU and the countries that pave the way for unity need to stop insisting on their mistakes.

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO EMBRACE THE WHOLE WORLD"

As Turkey, we will continue to embrace the whole world by fixing one leg of the compass in Ankara with a 360-degree perspective. Our visit, which included Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, regions that are shining stars with a total population approaching 650 million, was extremely productive. We further strengthened our commercial, economic, cultural, defense, and humanitarian relations. It was impossible not to be moved by the affection and love shown to us, witnessing the flood of love that spilled into the streets. We received great goodwill from the people. Tens of thousands of people greeted us with their national flags.

"THEY WERE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE GIFTED TOGGs"

We welcomed the compliments emphasizing Turkey's strengthening role in the Islamic world as a proud son of this country. One of the memorable aspects of our visit was the national electric car TOGG that we gifted to the leaders of all three countries. Beyond being a gift, TOGG has become a symbol of the new Turkey. Those who criticized every stage from the initial idea of TOGG to its production were uncomfortable with the TOGGs gifted to the leaders.

"THE SEDAN MODEL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE SUMMER MONTHS"

Everyone who eats the bread of this country, breathes its air, and drinks its water should take pride in this visit. In no part of the world does the opposition express dissatisfaction with photos that create national pride. We have a destructive opposition that is never satisfied. What can we say, this is our trial. More than 52,000 TOGGs are currently on the roads. God willing, the sedan model will also be launched in the summer months. Significant progress has been made in the establishment of the electric vehicle production facility and R&D center that a Chinese company will build in Manisa with a $1 billion investment.

"A CHINESE COMPANY WILL OPEN A FACTORY IN SAMSUN"

Considering that more than 17 million electric vehicles will be sold worldwide in 2024, the importance of these investments will become clearer. Another Chinese company is currently preparing to establish itself in Samsun. They have completed their preparations, and we will soon see the foundation of this brand laid in Samsun. We will continue to work to make Turkey the center of high-tech investments.

The Turkey Century Reform Program we announced yesterday was prepared with great care. Our reform program will also provide our country with a different horizon in high-tech investments. With the reform program we built on five fundamental pillars, we will elevate Turkey to a higher league. We discussed the 2030 industrial and strategy in today's cabinet meeting. We evaluated the budgets of $7 billion that will be implemented in the fields of mobility, petrochemicals, defense, and solar energy.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

We completed the congress marathon of our party that started on October 12 yesterday. We conducted an exemplary congress process that has restored credibility to Turkish democracy. God willing, from now on, we will place more emphasis on foreign receptions and overseas contacts. Last week, we hosted Mr. Zelensky in our country. Today, we welcomed Mr. Lavrov. We find these visits important during a period when diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war are intensifying. We have developed good relations with both countries without falling into the trap that the opposition wanted to set for us. In March 2022, we hosted direct negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul. We implemented the Black Sea Grain Initiative. We ensured that 33,000 tons of grain reached global markets through Turkish straits. Thus, we prevented a global food crisis.

"UKRAINE SHOULD ALSO BE INVITED TO THE NEGOTIATIONS"

We positively regard the will of American President Mr. Trump to end the war through negotiations.

It should not be overlooked that the path to a fair and lasting peace can only be opened with an equation that represents all parties involved. Except for the Istanbul process, Russia has been excluded from the tables established until today, and the desired results have not been achieved. Ukraine should also be invited to the negotiations. I have expressed our fair stance on this issue to Mr. Zelensky, Mr. Macron, and Mr. Lavrov. Our region has had enough of blood, tears, and conflict. We want this war, which has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and has imposed heavy costs on both countries, to come to an end. As a state that has earned the trust of every country with its balanced stance, we will do our utmost for a lasting and just peace. We will not compromise on the issues of our Gazan brothers living in peace on their own land, the security of Lebanon, and the territorial integrity of Syria, and we will stand by our brothers with all our means.

"WE DO NOT ALLOW OPPORTUNISTS BEFORE RAMADAN"

We are filled with excitement, hope, and happiness as we approach the holy month of Ramadan, which is a month of mercy, forgiveness, and blessings. Next Friday, we will begin the month of Ramadan by performing the first Tarawih prayer and making the first Suhoor. I congratulate our citizens on the occasion of Ramadan in advance. I wish a blessed Ramadan to our brothers who have tied their hopes to our country from abroad and different corners of the world. We are taking and will take all necessary measures against those who chase opportunism before Ramadan. Our ministries are working hard to ensure that the greed of the opportunists does not cast a shadow over our nation's joy of Ramadan. We all know very well that Ramadan opportunism is not just an economic issue but a serious moral and conscience problem.

"WE WILL NOT ALLOW OPPORTUNISM WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR NATION"

These opportunists, who have not been inspired by our ancient guild culture, do the greatest harm to our companies that earn money through halal means. We will not allow this opportunism, which raises prices for vegetables and fruits when it snows for a day or two, for fire extinguishers when there is a fire, and for iron and cement when there is an earthquake, with the support of our nation. Today, it is by no means correct to equate a free market with chaos. We will continue to take the necessary legal and administrative steps with our ministries, the Capital Markets Board, the Competition Authority, and the Tax Audit Board.