The first Cabinet meeting of the year has begun under the presidency of Erdoğan.

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The first Cabinet meeting of the year started at Beştepe under the chairmanship of President Erdoğan. The main agenda item of the meeting is the economy.

THERE IS AN EXPECTATION FOR REGULATION ON THE LOWEST RETIREMENT PENSION

After the determination of the annual inflation, a salary increase of 11.54% was made for civil servants and retired civil servants, and a 15.75% increase for SSK and Bağ-Kur retirees. However, there is an ongoing expectation for a regulation regarding the lowest retirement pension, which is currently 12,500 lira.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated that a legal regulation for the lowest retirement pension would be made within January. The issue is expected to be discussed in the cabinet meeting with the presentation of the relevant ministers. Additionally, the welfare share for civil servants and retirees is among the most important topics.

SURIA IS AMONG THE PRIORITY TOPICS

In the cabinet meeting, Syria will also be among the priority topics. Some ministries had sent delegations to assess the needs in areas such as energy, agriculture, drinking water, transportation, and the restoration of heavily damaged infrastructure in Syria.

Steps that can be taken for the reconstruction of the country, along with the reports prepared by these delegations, and discussions to be held with the new Syrian administration will also be addressed in the cabinet meeting. It is expected that the latest data on the return of Syrians and additional facilitative measures that can be taken will also be evaluated in the meeting.

COUNTER-TERRORISM OPERATIONS ARE ALSO ON THE AGENDA

Ankara is also turning its attention to northern Syria. While clashes continue between the Syrian National Army and the terrorist organization YPG around Manbij and its surroundings, information about the latest situation on the ground, especially in Kobani, Qamishli, and Hasakah, as well as planning against possible threats will also be discussed in the Cabinet. Additionally, ongoing counter-terrorism operations in northern Iraq will be on the agenda.

ERDOĞAN WILL ANNOUNCE THE DECISIONS

The decisions taken in the cabinet meeting will be shared with the public through a speech to the nation by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.