16.06.2025 19:11
After the cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan made statements, saying, "Inshallah, in a process that is not too long, we will have reached a defense capacity that no one will even dare to challenge us. The condition for this is political stability, keeping our economy strong, reinforcing social peace, and improving our diplomatic relations."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements after the Cabinet Meeting, the main agenda item of which was the Iran-Israel war.
Erdoğan stated, "With every oppression, every drop of blood shed, and every crime against humanity committed, Israel is gradually risking its own existence and the future of its society." He listed four key topics for Turkey to reach a defense capacity that no one would dare to challenge. Erdoğan said, "Inshallah, in a process that is not too long, we will have reached a defense capacity that no one will dare to challenge us. The conditions for this are political stability, keeping our economy strong, reinforcing social peace, and improving our diplomatic relations. As a state and a nation, we will endure some difficulties and make some sacrifices so that we can reach our goal. As Turkey sheds its burdens, it looks to the future with hope in every field. Our government and our alliance are the foundation and guarantee of Turkey's independence and future in this painful period our region is going through. The trust of 86 million is safe in competent and reliable hands. No one will be able to hinder the construction of the Century of Turkey, with God's permission," he added.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements;
"I send my love to our Palestinian brothers who are trying to celebrate Eid al-Adha under the despicable attacks of Israel, especially in the territories of Palestine, including Gaza and the West Bank. I congratulate our associations, foundations, and philanthropists for not leaving the Palestinian people alone during this holiday. I extend my congratulations to our security forces who selflessly worked to ensure the safety and peace of our citizens throughout the holiday. I pray for God's mercy on our brothers who lost their lives in traffic accidents and wish healing to the injured. Our gendarmerie and police units were on the ground day and night. They mobilized in every sense to ensure that millions of our citizens could travel safely, comfortably, and without issues. Between June 4-9, there were 16.3 million vehicle crossings on our highways. More than half of the total number of vehicles in our country were on the roads. High-Speed Train main lines and regional trains, as well as urban rail systems, were used by a total of 2 million 783 people. We sent off 3.9 million passengers at our airports. We served 1 million 152 thousand passengers at Istanbul Airport. Esenboğa Airport was used by 189 thousand 470 passengers.
"WE CONTINUE TO ADD NEW LINKS TO OUR INVESTMENT CHAIN"
We have once again seen the importance of the massive investments we have made to develop our transportation infrastructure during this process. We continue to add new links to our investment chain. We are gradually seeing the results of our efforts in the defense industry. In the KAAN project, which some mocked by saying it looks like a radiator when we introduced it two years ago, we have signed a very important project. An agreement was reached for the sale of 48 KAANs to Indonesia in the first phase.
"THE ATTACK HAS VERY SLY OBJECTIVES"
There has been serious tension, conflict, and wars in our region for some time. The Russia-Ukraine war continues with heavy consequences that wear down both sides. The genocide by Israel and its reckless actions in Lebanon and Syria break all our hearts. Now, the same Israel has launched an attack against our neighbor Iran. It is becoming increasingly clear that the attack has very comprehensive and sly objectives. From the very beginning, we argued that negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program should be conducted at the negotiation table, and we are still at the same point today. So far, I have had meetings with many leaders, including American President Mr. Trump, Pezeşkiyan, Putin, Sisi, King Abdullah II, Mohammed bin Salman, Sharif, Shara, Heysen bin Tamık, Al Sabah, and Sudani. In these meetings, we highlighted the threats and dangers posed by Israel's increasingly aggressive behavior, which has reached the level of banditry, to our region. As Turkey, we have openly communicated to all our counterparts that we are ready to do whatever is necessary, including facilitation. No one can predict what trying to solve issues that can be resolved at the table with weapons, chaos, and bombing everything in sight will lead to in the future.
"NO COUNTRY IS JUST ITS BORDERS"
Israel, which attacks Iran with the unlimited support of the West and bullies every country in the region that has been devastated by Gaza, is actually unaware of what it is doing. Perhaps it will realize the mistake it made in the future, but we fear it will be too late. No country is just its borders. Every event in the region closely concerns and affects all societies, leading to medium- and long-term consequences. Attacking the Palestinian people and their lands is not just an issue limited to a few million there. Attacking Iran is also not just a matter concerning Iran. We can make the same observations regarding India, Pakistan, the Turkic Republics, and North Africa.
"THE END OF OPPRESSION IS DEEP REGRET"
Every step taken in our region without regard for the truth invites other disasters in the future. These disasters result in the elimination of the oppressors. With every oppression, every drop of blood shed, and every crime against humanity committed, Israel is gradually risking its own existence and the future of society. One cannot thrive through oppression. The end of oppression is deep regret. As Turkey and the Turkish nation, we are sincerely striving to embrace our own citizens, brotherly and friendly communities, and ultimately all humanity within the framework of justice, fairness, and conscience that our civilizational heritage has entrusted to us.
"YOU WILL PROVE YOUR MATURITY TO THE WHOLE WORLD"
Recently, we have all followed the results of this approach in the Balkans, in Karabakh, in Libya, and in Syria. Inshallah, from now on, we will not only elevate unity, togetherness, and brotherhood within ourselves but also continue our initiatives that will provide the same climate in the region. If you are not strong politically, socially, economically, and militarily, if you are not self-sufficient, and if you have not reached a level of deterrence, your job is very difficult. At any moment, someone who sees themselves as stronger than you can bring their fist down on you. They can extort you, and you can find yourself in a humiliating situation. If living with such shame as a nation is the case, we have the character to prefer death. We would rather lie honorably beneath the ground than live dishonorably above it. Not falling into this situation is not achieved through empty words and grandiose statements that leave no room for doubt. For this, you will have to work, develop, produce, and sweat. You will prove your maturity to the whole world. When we came to power, there was no significant deterrent power in the defense industry in our country.
"REACHING THIS POINT IN 23 YEARS WAS NOT EASY"
There was no effort or activity in the name of innovation. We immediately rolled up our sleeves. We canceled ready-made purchase orders except for urgent needs. We grew this resource by adding to it and put it at the service of our defense industry.
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It was not easy to reach this point in 23 years. We already consider the obstacles coming from outside as normal. But we have never forgotten, and we will not forget, that some people inside are trying to sabotage every effort by criticizing it and creating unnecessary obstacles. These individuals are physically citizens of this country, but they are the mankurts who have surrendered their souls to the imperialists. At this point, especially in the field of UAVs, we have entered among the leading countries in the world. We have almost turned into a global brand in armored land vehicles. We are developing and producing our own missiles, radars, naval vessels, and communication systems. The hardest part is now left behind as waste. We know best what it means to bring production to the stage with design, software, hardware, and other elements. We have reached the stage of manufacturing these products that enter our inventory in a way that will support our deterrence. Our national fighter jet, KAAN, is one of the examples of this.
"NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO HINDER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTURY OF TURKEY WITH THE PERMISSION OF GOD"
Inshallah, in a process that is not too long, we will have reached a defense capacity that no one will even dare to challenge us. The condition for this is political stability, keeping our economy strong, reinforcing social peace, and improving our diplomatic relations. As a state and a nation, we will endure some difficulties and make some sacrifices so that we can reach our goal. As Turkey gets rid of its burdens, it looks to the future with hope in every field. Our government and our alliance are the foundation and guarantee of Turkey's independence and future in this painful period our region is going through. The trust of 86 million is safe in capable and trustworthy hands. No one will be able to hinder the construction of the Century of Turkey with the permission of God.
"TODAY IS ESPECIALLY A DAY FOR RESPONSIBLE POLITICS"
The political and social polarization of our country through street and tension politics, with hollow rhetorical statements, is not in anyone's interest in this country. We hope that the opposition will not fall into the same mistake they made at the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war for the sake of approval from the stands. Today is especially a day for responsible politics. We are concerned with extinguishing the fire as soon as possible rather than pouring gasoline on it like some others. Our goal is to establish and reinforce an environment of peace and stability in our region. There can be no valid justification for making developments a polemic material for daily politics while the struggle for national security is evident and making unjust and unfounded accusations.
"WE HAVE BROKEN THE GAMES PLAYED ON US"
Throughout history, we have overcome the obstacles placed before us by preserving our steadfastness, nobility, brotherhood, and solidarity. We have broken the games played on us. We have emerged from dark tunnels into the light in this way. Today, Turkey's greatest need is a politics of unity and brotherhood. By believing in and trusting each other, and by connecting 86 million hearts, we will hopefully reach beautiful tomorrows together.
"INSHALLAH, TOMORROW WE WILL BE STRONGER THAN TODAY"
Today we are better than yesterday, stronger, and in a more advanced position. Inshallah, tomorrow we will be stronger than today. With God's help and the prayers of our esteemed nation, we will continue to work tirelessly and sign services without stopping. We are striving to be a remedy for the troubles of our nation. The reconstruction and revival of the earthquake region remains at the top of our agenda. Inshallah, on Thursday, we will deliver the key of the 250,000th disaster housing to our earthquake-affected brothers in Kahramanmaraş. I pray that God is our helper and supporter.
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