President Erdoğan: Right now, there are only two of us left in the world, me and Putin.

08.12.2024 22:10

In a speech at a youth meeting in Gaziantep, President Erdoğan used striking expressions. Erdoğan stated, "Right now, there are only two of us left among the leaders in the world. There is me and Vladimir Putin. All the others have been eliminated."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with young people in Gaziantep. Highlighting the developments happening in the world, Erdoğan made striking statements.

Key points from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"Having such a cultural and art center in Gaziantep, in the heart of Anatolia, is a separate source of pride for us. The fact that there are currently 150 books means that this number will increase even more in the future. With all these works, our young people will benefit from these books, and this benefit will not be limited; by creating an attraction here, our young people will turn this place into a center for themselves. I sincerely thank you for your hope, energy, and kindness. I congratulate our Şahinbey Municipality for bringing the national library to our city. This is also the second largest library in Turkey.

"WE AIM TO ESTABLISH STRONG BRIDGES BETWEEN THE PAST AND THE FUTURE"

This is one of the fundamental differences between CHP municipalities and the municipalities of the AK Party and the People's Alliance. We aim to establish strong bridges between the past and the future, while they are concerned with blocking the dreams of young people, breaking their hopes, and bringing marginal movements from the West to our country under the guise of freedom.

We held the key and title deed delivery ceremony for 5,113 earthquake and social housing in Gaziantep with great enthusiasm. Afterwards, we gathered with our friends at the provincial congress, renewed our pledge, and took a step into the future by forming our new team. Now, we are together with you, our valuable young people, to address the issues of our city. This is the 46th meeting we have held with you. If there is a party that puts youth at the center, it is the AK Party.

We have never seen our young people as mere actors to be won over from election to election, to be used as temporary agenda material. We have implemented every practice that opens the way for our youth and broadens their horizons. We have built many centers like the Şahinbey National Library in all 81 provinces of our country. With their staff, infrastructure, and technological capabilities, we have opened universities in every city. When asked about the university, Tatlıses said, 'Did we not go to Oxford?' We aimed to build these universities in all 81 provinces of Turkey, and we did.

"WE HAVE OPENED THE WAY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN POLITICS"

We have equipped our cities with youth and technology centers, scientific nests, and sports facilities. We did not differentiate any of our cities, nor did we see them as superior or privileged. We have opened the way for our young people in politics. Despite some insisting on opposing this and the status quo mentality saying 'what's the need?', we lowered the age from 30 to 18. What were they saying? 'Are we going to leave the parliament to kids?'. We did not accept such a thing. The essence is to place a vibrant, young will in parliament at a young age, and we did that.

We ensured that young people are more represented in our assembly, which is the embodiment of national will. Today, 4 out of the 5 youngest members of parliament in the Turkish Grand National Assembly are serving in the ranks of our AK Party, which walks with the hope of the nation and follows the direction drawn by the people. One of our youngest members of parliament is our brother Mesut Bozatlı, who is a son of Gaziantep. You see, he is very young and also handsome. He previously served successfully in our party's provincial youth branches. Now, he is carrying out this duty under the roof of our esteemed assembly.

"YOU ARE OUR COMPANIONS ON THIS JOURNEY"

The issues of our young people will always have a place on our agenda in the construction of the bright future of this country, but they will never be neglected. You are our companions on this journey. We will continue to walk hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, and heart to heart with you for many long years. You are young people who have set an example to the world. You have opened your hearts with compassion to millions of people fleeing war, death, and oppression in Syria, just beyond our border, sharing your bread with them; you are kind-hearted.

We are the guests of your time. You will take over the banner that our elders entrusted to us. You will be the true architects of the Century of Turkey. From now on, I sincerely believe that you will add value to our country with confidence, knowledge, experience, and conscience. I pray that God opens your path and fortune.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The International Criminal Court made a very accurate decision. Netanyahu has never complied with this decision until today, and there have been previous decisions made before this one. He will not comply with this one either. Whether he complies or not, the fact that this decision has been made is a victory for countries opposing Israel in the world. This was very important. Such a decision has been made. Let's see what Netanyahu will do in his own country against the decisions made by the courts there. Also, the world is going through a very different process. The Trump administration has come to power in America. We will see how the new administration will be formed there. The world is evolving in a very different direction. The next 2-3 months are very important for us. As Turkey, we are putting forth all our efforts. We are sending our messages to the world accordingly.

"EVEN WITH SO MANY CLUBS, THEY ALWAYS HIT ROCK BOTTOM WHEN IT COMES TO SUCCESS"

On Monday, Rizespor will play against Gaziantep. Here. Now, what will I say? The most popular saying in politics is 'may the best win.' Here, may the one who plays well win. Unfortunately, we have so many clubs. Despite all this, they always hit rock bottom when it comes to success. With so many clubs and facilities, they still hit rock bottom. We need to overcome this. Our Minister of Sports is here. Hopefully, we can overcome this.

"RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF US LEFT: ME AND PUTIN"

The statements are very important. Along with the statements, it is also very important to continue the dialogue mechanism with them.

We call this diplomatic attacks. Right now, there are only two people left among the leaders in the world. There is me and Vladimir Putin. I am not saying this because I am here, I am stating the fact. This poor man has a term of 22 years. Almost the same amount of time that Mr. Putin has. All the others have been eliminated. The process is ongoing. Our hope is to continue these relations within this dialogue.

"POLITICS IN GERMANY ENDED AFTER MERKEL LEFT"

Merkel had an irreplaceable place in German politics. For example, after Merkel left, politics in Germany ended, interestingly enough. I appreciated Germany a lot; in fact, I will go further, my favorite leader is Schröder. Schröder's respect towards us was very different. He was a good leader. His relations with us were very different. For instance, during Ramadan, Schröder would not drink beer at my table. He was a person with such respect. He was a different person. Our dialogue with Schröder still continues. In fact, he sometimes comes to Turkey. But Schröder has a very strong position and place in German politics. My hope is that there will be politicians similar to Schröder in Turkish politics.

"WE ARE INCREASING THE SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT TO 3,000 LIRAS"

Now, I will not allow such spending on songs, folk songs, and so on, especially when on one hand you will say the economic conditions are tough, and at such a time, you will make such expenditures. As the President, I will not enter into such a thing in my country, nor will I allow it. We are increasing the scholarship amount to be given to university students from 2,000 liras to 3,000 liras as of January 2025.