15.10.2025 23:08
After the cabinet meeting, President Erdoğan announced a significant discovery in the rare earth elements field located in the Beylikova district of Eskişehir. President Erdoğan stated, "It has been determined that there are 694 million tons of resources of rare earth elements, primarily barite and fluorite, in the working area. This site is the second largest rare earth resource area in the world."
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements after the Cabinet meeting. President Erdoğan announced the discovery of the world's second-largest rare earth resource site in the Beylikova district of Eskişehir.
ERDOĞAN'S "ESKİŞEHİR" ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER THE CABINET MEETING President Erdoğan stated: "We have refuted one by one the inappropriate claims and accusations of the main opposition targeting Turkey's energy supply security. We are currently meeting the natural gas needs of 4 million households from the Sakarya gas field. This number will increase to 8 million in 2026 and hopefully to 16 million in 2028. We will produce the first electricity at Akkuyu very soon. We will continue to invest in nuclear energy, disregarding the criticisms made by the opposition by bringing up fish. I would like to clarify a topic that the opposition has distorted.
"694 MILLION TONS OF RESOURCES IDENTIFIED IN BEYLİKOVA The minerals we possess are being presented to international markets in a value-added manner. Especially rare earth elements play a critical role in defense industry, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, communication, and space technologies. In the Beylikova district of Eskişehir, 125,000 meters of drilling has been conducted at 310 different locations to date. It has been determined that there are 694 million tons of resources, primarily barite and fluorite, in the working area.
"THIS IS THE SECOND LARGEST RARE EARTH RESOURCE SITE IN THE WORLD" This site is the second largest rare earth resource site in the world. In Beylikova, where 10 out of 17 rare earth elements are found, there are 12.5 million tons of rare earth oxides. We want to be one of the top 5 producers in the world. We have activated the pilot production facility of Eti Maden, where we will process 1,200 tons of ore annually in the first phase. We are continuing our efforts to transform the pilot facility into an industrial facility. Many countries are signing agreements with experienced countries for technology development, consultancy, and technology transfer. We are also holding talks to develop collaborations with expert organizations from countries with technological expertise.
"THERE IS NO QUESTION OF GIVING THE BEYLİKOVA SITE TO ANY COUNTRY" It is absolutely out of the question to give the rare earth element site in Beylikova to any country. Whoever claims this is slandering their own country. First, they try to obstruct mineral exploration activities. When they fail in this, they then seek to sabotage its operation. The equation is actually very simple; if possible, prevent it, if not, discredit it. What is happening regarding rare earth elements is exactly this. The aim is to prevent Turkey from benefiting from this resource. Those who slander our government are the ones who have been vocal about our Black Sea natural gas and our oil discoveries in Gabar. Instead of providing support there, they immediately found a way to criticize. They are doing the same today, and nothing will change tomorrow. I ask my nation to remain vigilant against these individuals.
"WE DID NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP, WE DID NOT FALL FOR THE GAME" We are determined to continue strengthening these gains, which are one of the most important outputs of the Presidential Government System. We are successfully managing crises that would devastate many countries without causing any harm to the 86 million people. We have seen, experienced, and directly witnessed this in the most serious health crisis of the last century, the Russia-Ukraine war, and many issues from bloody conflicts to trade and customs wars.
We did not fall into the trap, we did not fall for the game. We did not determine our policies based on what Western countries say, but with the vast experience, accumulation, and knowledge we have gained over 23 years. Those who mercilessly criticized us during the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis have now come to a point where they reluctantly agree with us. Those who accused us of distancing ourselves from Europe and the Western bloc are now praising the policies we are pursuing. It is certainly significant for their own developments that those who criticize us sometimes come to appreciate us, albeit 2 years, 4 years, or much later. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do for those who cannot admit the truth even though they know it.
"I THANK ALL ACTIVISTS" While they were chasing empty and meaningless pursuits, we ran with passion to serve our country and nation. On October 1, we held the opening of the legislative year of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. On October 4, we were in the Sultanbeyli district to hold the opening and groundbreaking ceremonies of our 50 projects, with a total value of 8 billion 425 million lira. October 4 was another important and critical day for us. We provided strong moral support to the Sumud fleet, which set sail for Gaza in response to Israel's occupation and genocide from different countries. We successfully managed the evacuation process of the activists, including our citizens. We safely brought a total of 137 activists to our country.
Three of our detained members of parliament also reached Turkey smoothly and without any issues via Baku. With the flight of Turkish Airlines on October 10, we brought a total of 94 activists, 18 of whom are our citizens, to Turkey. I once again thank all our citizens and activists who have been the voice of humanity's conscience, and I wish them a speedy recovery. I leave those who accuse Turkey of wrongdoing in our evacuation operation to the conscience of my nation.
"WE WILL BUILD THE THIRD AIRPORT ON THE SEA IN TRABZON" In the light of the principle of unity in language, thought, and work, we are making solidarity and partnerships among Turkish states. We attended the 12th summit of the Turkish states organization. I hope that the decisions we made at the summit and the Gabala declaration will be beneficial for the Turkish world. On October 9, we ceremonially opened the 2025-2026 Academic Year of Higher Education. I wish the new academic year to be fruitful. On October 10, we were in our hometown Rize for the opening and groundbreaking ceremonies of our projects. We held the collective opening of 37 of our projects there. We met with civil society organizations and the business world in our city. On October 12, we moved to Trabzon and opened 130 of our projects worth 13 billion 514 million lira. We have good news there. We will build our third airport on the sea in Trabzon. We have completed the project, and we will soon hold the tender, after which we will start all the machinery.
"WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT THE WEST FOLLOWS AND TAKES AS A MODEL" We take pride in Turkey's star shining brighter and its increasing weight in global politics. With its active stance in favor of peace, dialogue, justice, and solutions in foreign policy, Turkey is becoming an indispensable player day by day. Especially in conflict resolutions, we are not a country that the West follows, but one that the West follows and takes as a model. We have never wavered in our stance during the 13.5 years of the Syrian conflict. We did not leave the Syrian victims at the mercy of oppressors and terrorist organizations.
"WE EMBRACED OUR SYRIAN BROTHERS" While the Western countries, which the main opposition constantly praises, hide behind barbed wire fences to avoid taking in refugees, we embraced our Syrian brothers. Despite those who targeted Syrian victims for the sake of 3-5 votes, we maintained our conscientious stance, considering the political cost during the most critical times. As a result, we were the ones standing on the right side of history. Time has vindicated us, not the lumpen racists, vote hunters, or enemies of refugees. Today, our relations with our neighbor Syria are strengthening in every field. We look at each other not with embarrassment but with a smile. As stability is established in Syria, everything will get much better. From the very first day, Turkey has stood on the side of truth, the rightful, and justice in Gaza.
"WE FEARLESSLY DEFENDED GAZA AND THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE" We did not slander the Palestinian resistance to appear nice to anyone. We courageously shouted what was in our hearts without bending or hesitating. With our humanitarian aid reaching 102,000 tons, we stood by our brothers in Gaza. We fearlessly defended Gaza and the Palestinian cause in all meetings. While doing all this, we did not neglect to work for a ceasefire in Gaza. We welcome the ceasefire agreement reached in Gaza with the contribution of the diplomacy we have been conducting through various channels for some time. Praise be to Allah, a fragile climate of trust has emerged in Gaza after oppression, brutality, and genocide.
"SAYING THEY ONLY SIGNED A CEASEFIRE IS NOT ANYONE'S PLACE" For the first time, children who have been struggling to survive under bombs for 2 years are blooming smiles on their faces. Among the ruins, people are trying to start life anew by holding onto a piece of belongings they can find. These are not happiness that we can fully understand, but only happiness that we can watch and imagine. The innocent children know best the suffering they have endured for 2 years. The heartbroken mothers and fathers know the pain of burying 68,000 martyrs. We can only empathize. We can only try to understand them.
Every effort to alleviate the burden of the oppressed in Gaza is valuable to us. It is not anyone's place or right to belittle just because they signed a ceasefire. We are aware of Israel's poor track record of not keeping promises, just like everyone else. The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and our brothers in Gaza are more aware of this reality, but despite that, they want to remain hopeful. We are keeping all existing pressure elements alive to ensure that the old days of genocide do not return.
"WE WILL FOCUS ON HUMANITARIAN AID BEFORE WINTER SETS IN" There, as both the leaders of the 4 signing countries and the leaders of other countries, we have clearly demonstrated our will. With the declaration, we have taken a valuable step towards lasting peace and stability in our region. We will stand behind the will expressed in the declaration until the end. I believe that the USA, Egypt, and Qatar will exhibit similar attitudes. A new phase has been reached with the hostage and prisoner exchange. The entry of humanitarian aid has accelerated. Nearly 350 of our trucks have entered. Yesterday, we sent our 17th goodwill ship carrying 900 tons of aid from Mersin to the region.
There will be more to come. Insha'Allah, we will focus on our humanitarian aid before winter sets in. We will continue our aid without showboating or chasing publicity like others. This struggle will not slow down until an independent Palestinian state is established. While we extend a helping hand to the oppressed, we are only seeking the pleasure of our Lord. We expect nothing from anyone other than the prayers of the people. Sincerity, honesty, and humility will continue to guide us, insha'Allah. Until our last breath, we will not shy away from truth, honesty, and working with all our might. I congratulate our national football team, which brought joy to our nation by defeating Georgia 4-1 in Kocaeli yesterday. I thank them on behalf of my country and my nation."