10.06.2026 15:41
President Erdogan stated that new tensions are being fueled in the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus, and warned that if the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are targeted, "Our response will be very clear and very harsh."
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made striking statements regarding the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus during his speech at the AK Party TBMM Group Meeting. Erdogan stated that a new tension is being created in the region, and emphasized that if the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots are targeted, a harsh response will be given. Erdogan's remarks were met with a standing ovation from those in the party group.
\"THEY HAVE BOARDED ISRAEL'S BOAT OF DISCORD\"
Erdogan, stressing that they closely follow developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, noted that a \"fire of discord\" is being ignited specifically over the island of Cyprus. Claiming that some circles support Israel's policies, Erdogan said, \"Some petty structures whose ambitions far exceed their stature have boarded Israel's boat of discord and assumed the subcontracting of Zionism.\"
\"OUR RESPONSE WILL BE VERY HARSH AND VERY CLEAR\"
Emphasizing that Turkey will not compromise its rights and interests in the region, Erdogan stated, \"Let no one seek adventure, let no one follow the tail of the Zionist massacre network. If the rights and law of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots are targeted in the Eastern Mediterranean, I want it to be known that our response will be very clear and very harsh.\"
Highlights from Erdogan's statements;
\"My dear nation, my esteemed fellow deputies, valuable members of the press, very distinguished guests, I greet you with my most sincere feelings, respect, and affection at the opening of our AK Party Group Meeting. I wish that our group meeting and the evaluations we will make here bring blessings to our country, nation, and democracy. I welcome all our guests who have honored our meeting from different corners of Turkey and thank each of them individually for their excitement, enthusiasm, and loyalty.
In these days when events that do not suit Turkish politics are taking place, I hope that this magnificent tableau of brotherhood in the AK Party Group serves as an example to everyone, especially to those trying to marginalize politics. On the occasion of this first meeting after the Feast of Sacrifice, I pray that the worship of our brothers who have performed the Hajj pilgrimage is accepted and blessed in the sight of Almighty Allah.
ELECTIONS HELD IN 6 LOCALITIES
My dear comrades in cause, since the first day we set out, our integration with the nation has continued to increase and strengthen, thank God. As the AK Party and the People's Alliance, we once again witnessed the strength of the bridges of affection we have built with our dear nation over the weekend. Our people went to the polls on Sunday in 6 localities in Gümüşhane, Nevşehir, and Tokat to determine their mayors and council members. In the by-elections held, the candidate of our AK Party won in four of the six localities, and the candidate of our alliance partner, the Nationalist Movement Party, won in one. The People's Alliance has achieved a very meaningful election victory. First and foremost, I wholeheartedly congratulate Mustafa Karadağ in Tokat Bağtaşı locality, Mustafa Altın in Tokat Yolüstü locality, Kemalettin Demirkıran in Gümüşhane Tekke locality, and Mustafa Özer in Nevşehir Mustafapaşa locality, who were elected as mayors through the appreciation of their fellow citizens. Likewise, I extend my congratulations to Hikmet Temizel, elected as the Mayor of Tokat Kuşçu locality from the Nationalist Movement Party. I wish our mayors and council members superior success from Allah on their path to serving their localities. I also thank our citizens, who literally overwhelmed the ballot boxes, for their favor towards our party and alliance. Inshallah, we will never betray this trust and affection, and we will strive to repay our debt of gratitude to our nation by working harder.
Again, on Sunday, June 7, ballot boxes were set up for mukhtar positions in 355 neighborhoods and for council of elders in 37 neighborhoods across our country. I sincerely congratulate our mukhtars, whom we see as the fundamental building blocks of our democracy, and wish them success.
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\"THEY HAVE FALLEN SILENT FOR 3 DAYS\"
My dear friends, I want to draw your attention to an important aspect of the picture that emerged from the June 7 elections. As you know, for some time, certain actors from the main opposition party have been trying to set their own agenda by speaking in a high tone. They were pontificating, so to speak, through our citizens they dragged from city to city with buses, seeing themselves as giants in a mirror. But with the arrival of election results, they all vanished from the scene. Those who were shouting at the top of their voices until yesterday have had no sound or breath for 3 days. There is no one speaking, no one commenting on the elections, and no one coming out to apologize to our citizens they incited.
\"IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THIS MINDSET...\"
In fact, we witnessed a similar shamelessness after the May 14-28 elections. We all remember those days like yesterday. What didn't we encounter? Even though they knew very well they were behind, they shamelessly came out and lied to our people saying, 'We are ahead.' During the campaign period, they tried to manipulate their voters through ordered polls. Even after the election results were finalized, instead of admitting they were wrong, they blamed the nation. They sought the fault not in themselves but in the nation's choices. Despite the heavy defeat they suffered, they could never understand that politics is not just an echo chamber of social media. They are doing the same today. To these monuments of arrogance, who blame everyone and everything except their own incompetence, I just want to say this: Gentlemen, excuse me. If you continue with this mindset, you will get more slaps from the nation at the ballot box. If you don't correct yourselves and practice realistic politics, you will turn into a nightingale that has eaten more mulberries. If you cannot free yourself from the guardianship of junta members and criminal organizations, you will taste more defeat and face more disappointment.
\"THEY NEVER TRIED TO CHANGE THEIR MINDSET\"
Look, I always say this. The problem is not just in their perspective on politics, their style of politics, their ugly and vulgar language. The real problem is in their mindset. It is in their fascist ideology. The problem is that the bond they establish with the street is not genuine, sincere, real, or honest. The problem is that they do not see the nation as the distinguisher and underestimate Anatolian wisdom. The problem is that they see politics not as a means of serving the people but as a door for personal career and gain. Throughout our competition approaching a quarter of a century, they were defeated in all these things many times. They were mistaken many times. But they never tried to change their mindset once."}
My dear brothers and sisters, judging by their recent attitudes, they do not seem likely to change much.
"THOSE WHO HELD THE CONGRESS AND THOSE WHO CLAIM IT WAS TAINTED ARE BOTH CHP MEMBERS"
Instead of resolving their internal disputes calmly and peacefully within the framework of judicial decisions, they sometimes blame us, sometimes the courts, and sometimes the media, yet they never admit any fault themselves. However, from the very first day, we have always said this: In the debates regarding the CHP's 38th Congress, those who held the congress, those who claimed it was tainted, and those who took these claims to court with evidence to seek their rights are all CHP members. I say this with your pardon—those who dragged the party founded by Gazi Mustafa Kemal down to the level of nightclub tables are none other than themselves. My brothers, those who say, "I took bribes, I gave bribes, I gave this much money to that person" are likewise themselves. Those who yesterday called someone the hope of the people and today label them a traitor are none other than themselves.
"WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE COURT DECISION CONFIRMED OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS"
In a legal dispute where all parties are from the CHP, the judiciary made its assessments based on documents and information and ultimately delivered its verdict. What happened after the court decision confirmed our righteousness. If you notice, despite all the insults directed at our party that go beyond decency, propriety, and political courtesy, we stayed away from the debates even after the decision. We never got our hands or tongues involved. We ignored the provocations of political hucksters. We did not fall into the traps of media mercenaries. We did not give credit to those who lack connection between their minds and mouths. We contented ourselves with following events and debates from a safe distance. We maintain the same stance.
"WE ARE NOT PART OF THE BATTLE FOR SEATS AND HALLS"
As long as it does not harm social peace, public order, or the political institution, the turmoil within the CHP does not concern us at all. We never want to be dragged or pulled into this vortex. We are not and will not be part of the battle for seats and halls. Indeed, this is also what our nation desires and expects from us. We are obliged to do what befits us. And that is what we are doing. As the AK Party, our sincere hope is that this crisis, which has turned into a time bomb due to the irresponsible attitudes of certain characters who cannot escape the influence of criminal organizations, will be resolved as soon as possible.
"WE WILL NOT TOLERATE THE TERRORIZATION OF THE GRAND NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF TURKEY"
Look, I speak frankly. Even if a party is our political rival, we do not wish for any party representing the nation under this noble roof to be associated with brawls, conflict, or power struggles spilling into the streets and Parliament corridors. We will not tolerate the terrorization of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey or the transformation of the Gazi Parliament into a demonstration arena. Politics is not done by listening little and shouting much, or thinking little and talking much. Everyone must act with a sense of responsibility toward 86 million people. Everyone should stay away from steps that increase polarization in politics.
"WHO OCCUPIES THE SEAT..."
Here, I find it useful to clarify this truth: Who occupies the chair of the CHP's general chairmanship has no value in our eyes. We have never been involved with individuals, and we will not be in the future. Because as the AK Party movement, our struggle is not with individuals but with the CHP's ideology, which is hostile to the people and national will. Our struggle is with the February 28 bullies who made our headscarved girls cry at university gates. Our struggle is with the Jacobin mentality that insults the nation's faith, sacred values, and looks down on the people. Our struggle is with the ignoramuses who tell citizens asking for help to go on pilgrimage, 'Never mind, don't let the Arabs take your money.' Our struggle is with the plunderers who use the nation's resources as stepping stones for their political ambitions. Our struggle is with the collaborationists who complain about Turkey abroad to get praise from their Western patrons. Our struggle will continue with the fascist aspirations that would take Turkey back to single-party darkness if given the chance. Our struggle is with those disturbed by the Mehter March, those who cannot tolerate Ramadan events in our schools, and those who fire at the nation's faith values under the guise of secularism. Our struggle is with the mankurts who deface the walls of the sacred Istanbul, Sultan Fatih's legacy, with writings like 'Oppression began in 1453.' As long as we hold these positions, our struggle will continue.
"WE HAVE NOT EXHAUSTED OUR HOPES IN OUR SEARCH"
Dear fellow travelers, I must remind you and my noble nation once again: lazy, visionless, and quarrelsome opposition brings no benefit to this country or this nation. Turkey needs a powerful, resolute, successful, and stable government, as well as an opposition with vision, horizon, and sensitivity. Our search for an opposition that will compete with us in works, services, and projects has not been met for the past 23 years. But despite this, we have not exhausted our hopes. I sincerely believe that sooner or later, Turkey will achieve an opposition of the quality it deserves. Until that day comes, we will continue to compete with ourselves. While our rivals are occupied with their sterile conflicts, as I always say, we only mind our own business.
"ZERO WASTE FORUM WAS SUCCESSFULLY HELD"
We are particularly striving to make the most efficient use of 2026 in foreign policy. Last weekend, our Istanbul hosted a historic international meeting in the field of environmental diplomacy. The Zero Waste Forum was successfully held under our country's hosting, with the participation of over 120 ministers from 183 countries, more than 200 mayors, and over 5,000 participants.
"WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE NATO LEADERS' SUMMIT"
Inshallah, 2026 will be a year when Turkey's international prestige and visibility peak. We attach great importance to the NATO Leaders' Summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8. The announcement that U.S. President Mr. Trump will personally attend the summit was a valuable step for the cohesion of the alliance. There is intense interest in the Ankara Summit not only among allies but also worldwide. We have intensified our preparations to ensure the Ankara Summit becomes a reference point in NATO's history. We will use the remaining approximately one month most effectively.
Beyond NATO, as you know, we will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress in October. Following that, we will organize the 13th Leaders' Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, which we see as our family council, in our country. Between November 9-20, we will hold the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya. With 100,000 participants from 197 different countries, we will see COP31 recorded as the largest environmental summit in history.
"73 THOUSAND INNOCENT PEOPLE MURDERED IN GAZA BEFORE THE EYES OF THE ENTIRE WORLD"
Dear members of parliament, valued comrades on the path and in the cause. Unfortunately, crises and wars in our region continue relentlessly. From Gaza to Lebanon, wherever we turn, we encounter the cries of the oppressed that sear our hearts. Since its establishment, Israel has functioned as a persistent threat to peace, tranquility, prosperity, and security in our region. The occupation of Palestine and the genocide against Palestinians continue systematically. Look, 73 thousand innocent people have been murdered in Gaza before the eyes of the entire world. This genocide still persists, both in terms of its massacre dimension and its inhumane isolation dimension. Israel, which has perpetrated the bloodiest genocide in human history, has simultaneously attacked Iran and, not stopping there, has begun to occupy Lebanon. Despite reactions from regional countries, especially Turkey, Israel refuses to withdraw from Lebanon and continues its bloody operations there. Since March 2, the number of those killed in Lebanon has reached 3,700, and the number of wounded has reached 11,400. Israel has simultaneously embarked on a insidious effort to destabilize African countries and the Mediterranean.
"THE ATTACKS OF THE MURDER NETWORK HAVE REACHED A POINT THAT ALSO THREATENS TURKEY"
The Zionist administration, as a veritable sore point and a factory of sedition, constantly generates unrest across a wide geography. Unfortunately, the world does not show the necessary reaction to Israel's rule-defying, law-defying, principle-defying, value-defying, and boundary-defying policies. Israel, under the current government's management, has become increasingly emboldened and has become a source of threat not only for the region but for humanity as a whole. The attacks by Netanyahu and his murder network on Syria and Lebanon have reached a point that threatens not only these two brother countries but also Turkey.
I want everyone to know this once and for all. Syria and Lebanon are two sovereign, independent states. However, these two states, Syria and Lebanon, are also two states within Turkey's geography of love and brotherhood. Damascus and Beirut are two brother cities of Istanbul. Turkey's security begins not just from Hatay, but from Aleppo, from Damascus. Turkey's security begins in Beirut. We will not tolerate any fait accompli in the countries of our brothers. We will not turn a blind eye to any attack on our brothers. Now, these individuals and their trigger-pullers come out and purportedly make threats targeting Turkey here and there. There is no need for you to say this. We already know your intention, your purpose, and your target very well."