25.06.2025 18:30
After the NATO Summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements highlighting the drama in Gaza. Erdoğan said, "56,000 Gazans have lost their lives due to Israeli attacks. Silence is not an option while babies are dying. The whole world must raise its voice against Israel's oppression in Gaza."
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President Erdoğan is making statements at the NATO Leaders Summit held in The Hague, Netherlands.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"In the council session, we decided to increase our defense spending to five percent of our gross domestic product over a ten-year period. This decision, taken in a climate where existing crises are deepening and new crises are emerging every day, is a necessity for NATO. We are allies who are most affected by the threat of terrorism and directly impacted by many crises in our region.
"OUR DEFENSE INDUSTRY IS BEING POINTED OUT"
Almost all of the events currently dominating the international agenda are taking place in Turkey's immediate vicinity. We are striving to keep our country away from all these crises, hot conflicts, and tensions. We place great importance on increasing our deterrence and strengthening our defense. The significant leap made by the Turkish defense industry in recent years is being pointed out globally. We have a say on a global scale in many areas, especially in armed and unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles.
"WE ARE AMONG THE COUNTRIES CLOSEST TO REACHING 5%"
Our defense spending is currently above the two percent level, which was the target of previous summits. In fact, in terms of our current infrastructure and defense industry investments, the resources we allocate for innovation, and our international efforts, we are among the countries closest to reaching five percent. I find it appropriate for many allies to come to the same line as us in taking on more responsibility in the face of threats and challenges. Of course, it is not possible to enhance the effectiveness of the alliance merely by increasing defense spending. There also needs to be a sincere establishment of mutual understanding and cooperation among allies. In this regard, we have taken the lead in reflecting the understanding of removing barriers to trade in defense industry products among allies without any conditions in the alliance documents.
"I ENSURED THE REFLECTION OF THE TERROR THREAT IN THE SUMMIT COMMUNIQUE"
We hope for the implementation of all its components. I emphasized that the European Union's initiatives in the field of defense and security should complement NATO. I particularly stressed that the full inclusion of non-member allies in the union's defense industry initiatives would be in the interest of all of Europe. Ultimately, the increasing defense capabilities in Europe are in the interest of the entire Euro-Atlantic region. Our hope is that this inclusive approach will dominate the continent. The approach of the NATO Secretary General, based on the development of the defense industry from Texas to Ankara, is extremely valuable in this regard.
As you know, Turkey is among the allies that highlight the alliance's role in combating terrorism. Indeed, terrorism has been recorded as one of the two current main threats to NATO. This time in The Hague, I emphasized that the fight against terrorism can only be successful with the sincere solidarity of allies. I ensured the reflection of this threat in the summit communique.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
The war in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than three years, has had both regional and global effects. Casualties and destruction are increasing on both sides. As Turkey, we continue our intense efforts to end the war with a just and sustainable peace. In March 2022, we hosted talks in Istanbul that were left unfinished, but we achieved concrete results such as the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the exchange of prisoners of war. Our belief in diplomacy, combined with the trust that the parties have in us, led to mediation once again in Istanbul. Significant progress was made regarding additional prisoner and body exchanges during the talks we hosted. Additionally, an open exchange of views regarding a possible ceasefire took place. I am convinced that a window of opportunity for a ceasefire and lasting peace has opened. This should not be wasted. Our goal is to pave the way for a lasting peace by supporting additional concrete steps among the parties. With the support of our allies, I maintain my hope for the war to be concluded as soon as possible. As I always say, there are no losers in a just peace.
"NO ONE WITH A CONSCIENCE CAN REMAIN SILENT TO ISRAEL'S ATROCITIES"
We see that the threats and crises in the Middle East are becoming more serious every day. I once again draw attention to the nearly two-year-long oppression of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Look, so far, 56,000 Gazans, mostly children and women, have lost their lives in Israeli attacks. Again, mostly children and women, 129,000 Gazans have been injured. 80% of Gaza has been destroyed. 95% of the health infrastructure has been devastated. Churches, mosques, schools, and hospitals have been bombed. More than 2 million of our Gazan brothers and sisters are struggling to survive under very difficult conditions while bombs continuously rain down on them.
The Israeli government is obstructing even the entry of the most basic necessities into Gaza. Due to Israel's blockades and attacks, the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza has turned into a humanitarian disaster. No person with a conscience can remain silent in the face of such brutality. One can remain silent while babies sleep, but not while babies are being killed. From here, I call on everyone who values human life to raise their voices against oppression. However, we observe that the international community, especially the relevant institutions, has been inadequate in stopping Israel.
"WE WELCOME THE CEASEFIRE"
Our organization is full of examples that show that nothing can be achieved through war, destruction, aggression, and threats. We welcome the ceasefire achieved through the efforts of President Trump. We expect both parties to unconditionally comply with my dear friend Trump's call. We hope that the declaration of a de facto ceasefire will be quickly transformed into lasting peace. I believe that everyone, including allies, must put their hands under the stone to ensure peace in the Middle East.
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