06.09.2026 08:30
Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan gave important messages regarding the Türkiye Without Terrorism process. Stating that important steps have been taken in the process but that peace will not be unilateral, Turan said, "Please do not test the patience of this nation. Laying down arms begins with laying down the weapons of language. We are patient, but we are not irresponsible."
Deputy Minister of Interior Bülent Turan attended the opening of the Bayramiç Agriculture Fair held at the District Closed Marketplace in the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale. In his speech, Turan made assessments on many topics, from agriculture to climate change, from the Village Campus Project to the Terror-Free Turkey process.
SUPPORT FOR THE VILLAGE CAMPUS PROJECT
Referring to the Village Campus Project prepared by village headmen and Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), Turan said that as the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Interior, they support the project.
Stating that they have implemented an exemplary project in Çanakkale, Turan drew attention to the importance of efforts toward rural development and production.
"AGRICULTURE IS NOT A CHOICE, IT IS A NECESSITY"
Emphasizing that agriculture holds strategic importance for countries, Turan shared the figures Turkey has reached in agricultural production.
Turan stated that with an agricultural output of $83.2 billion last year, Turkey ranked 7th in the world and 1st in Europe.
Saying that Turkish agriculture continues to grow, Turan noted that 206 types of products are cultivated in the country and exports are made to 186 countries.
WARNING AGAINST WATER WASTE
Also touching upon the effects of climate change, Turan stated that water resources must be used correctly and called for measures to prevent waste.
Emphasizing that institutions, especially in closed irrigation systems, must keep up with technological developments, Turan said:
"As institutions, we too must take steps on all these issues, especially closed irrigation systems, and keep up with better technological developments. Look, recently you saw, there were massive floods in some places abroad, dams burst. Underneath all of it lie problems stemming from climate change. In other words, the world is warming. Waters are shifting, snows, rains..."
"WE NO LONGER WANT TO TALK ABOUT TERRORISM IN THIS COUNTRY"
Devoting a large part of his speech to the Terror-Free Turkey process, Turan stated that there have been no reports of martyrs in Turkey for about two years and said they want terrorism to be completely removed from the agenda.
Turan noted:
"At the point we have reached, thank God, we have not received news of martyrs in this country for two years. We no longer want to talk about terrorism in this country. We want there to no longer be an expression like 'beyond Sivas' in this country. We want the 86 million people of this country to be brothers. Great risks were taken while doing these things. We take steps when we all take risks together."
"GOOD THINGS HAPPENED BUT PEACE CANNOT BE ONE-SIDED"
Emphasizing that the steps taken in the process must be mutual, Turan called on the parties to the process from the Bayramiç district of Çanakkale.
Turan continued his words: "Good things happened, but peace cannot be one-sided. I want to make a call from Çanakkale, from Bayramiç, to the parties involved. Doing things with arrogant, egotistical, selfish attitudes does not suit anyone."
"WILL THERE BE CONDOLENCES 3 YEARS LATER, 5 YEARS LATER?"
Also reacting to the condolence tents set up last week, Turan argued that holding condolences years later is exploitation.
Saying, "We followed last week with sadness. They set up condolence tents," Turan continued: "If there is a condolence, it is on the first day. If not, let it be 3 days, 7 days, 40 days. Will there be condolences 3 years later, 5 years later? This is nothing but exploitation."
"DO NOT TEST THE PATIENCE OF THIS NATION"
Underlining that Turkey's laws regarding the fight against terrorism have not changed, Turan used harsh words regarding the use of posters of terrorist organization leaders.
Turan stated: "Turkey's anti-terror laws have not changed. Turkey's current legislation does not permit hanging posters of terrorist leaders in the background. Please, do not test the patience of this nation. Please, do not make mistakes. Peace is valuable in a place where everyone is sensitive. Peace is the will to live together, fraternally. A language that sabotages this, looks askance at this, or pollutes this is a language that makes mistakes."
"LAYING DOWN ARMS FIRST MEANS LAYING DOWN THE WEAPON OF LANGUAGE"
Also warning about the language used in the Terror-Free Turkey process, Turan said that laying down arms requires not only a physical but also a discursive change.
Saying, "Laying down arms first means laying down the weapon of language," Turan continued: "Please come to your senses. Please do not play with the nerve endings of this state. Do not play with the sensitivities of this nation. Let us conclude this beautiful process together."
"WE ARE AWARE OF EVERYTHING"
Also touching upon the statements made years later regarding people who lost their lives in clashes, Turan made a striking assessment: "Moreover, if there is someone who died in a clash, our state, our soldiers already say who that deceased person is. In one day, three days. If they are saying it after 3 years, perhaps they are describing the steps for legitimizing their own executions today, I mean. We are aware of everything."
"WE ARE PATIENT BUT WE ARE NOT IRRESPONSIBLE"
Emphasizing that they will stand against any step that would harm Turkey, Turan described their determination in the Terror-Free Turkey process with these words: "I want to state that we will be against any step that would harm this nation. We are patient, but we are not irresponsible."
Stating that the end of terrorism will also accelerate Turkey's economic and social development, Turan concluded his words with an analogy drawn from agriculture:
"The growth of agriculture also depends on leaving such problems behind. These must end so that we can run. While we have a wound on our foot, while there is bleeding, our ability to run is limited. First, we will bandage that area. A future without war, terrorism, and strife is the greatest legacy for our children."
MET WITH PRODUCERS
After his speech, Bülent Turan presented plaques to those who supported the Bayramiç Agriculture Fair, and toured the fairgrounds with the accompanying delegation, chatting with producers.
Attending the opening were New Party Deputy İsmet Güneşhan, Bayramiç District Governor Emrah Bütün, Bayramiç Mayor Hasan Cem Atılgan, AK Party Provincial Chairman Abdurrahman Kuzu, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry Ergün Demirhan, ÇOMÜ Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Arda Aydın, Chamber of Agriculture Chairman Mesut Şen, as well as political party representatives, headmen, and producers.