Erdoğan’s Remarks Upon Returning from the Shanghai Summit
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, after returning from Tianjin, China, where he attended the 25th Summit of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member countries, spoke to journalists, outlining his views, positions, and the details of his meetings with world leaders.
Participation in the Shanghai Summit and the Importance of Asian Relations
Erdoğan noted the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping as the guest of honor at the summit, calling it a sign of the importance of relations with the organization and Asian countries. He stated that the population of the 10 member states has reached 3.8 billion, with an economic volume approaching 30 trillion dollars, and that the organization has found its identity by prioritizing economic and trade cooperation and playing a role in solving global and regional problems. He described the principles of the “Shanghai Spirit” — equality, consultation, mutual trust and benefit, respect for differences, and common development — as aligned with the “New Asia” approach.
Meetings with Leaders and the Palestine Issue
Erdoğan said that during the summit he met with the leaders of China, Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and Armenia, and that in addition to bilateral cooperation, he raised the issue of Israel’s attacks on Palestine. Referring to the toll of more than 60,000 martyrs and 150,000 wounded in Gaza since October 7, 2023, he stated: “Israel’s genocide will never be forgotten,” and called on the United States to put an end to Israel’s massacres and oppression. He described the U.S. decision to revoke the visas of Mahmoud Abbas and 80 Palestinian officials as contrary to the philosophy of the United Nations, stressing that even if Palestinian officials are absent, the voice of the oppressed Palestinian people will resonate in the UN General Assembly.
Relations with China and the East–West Perspective
Erdoğan said that China is aware of Turkey’s regional importance and influence, and that Ankara seeks to develop relations with Beijing in the fields of economy, digital technologies, energy, and healthcare. He emphasized that Turkey does not view the world solely along an East–West axis and focuses on building new bridges between the two.
The Ukraine War and Turkey’s Role
The Turkish president said that in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, they discussed ways to end the Ukraine–Russia war through a “just peace,” and that the Istanbul talks were a successful example. He noted that a proposal to launch a new initiative in Turkey had been raised, but that the parties were not yet ready for it.
Position on Syria
Erdoğan stressed the need to preserve Syria’s unity and solidarity, saying that any chaos in the country directly affects Turkey. He stated that Turkey and the Damascus government oppose creating instability, and that all Syrian communities, including the Kurds, are considered brothers. He warned that anyone seeking to undermine this process will pay the price, and emphasized that with goodwill, all problems can be resolved.
terror-free Turkey
Regarding the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission in the Grand National Assembly, Erdoğan said that the commission continues its work with broad participation, aiming to end the 40-year problem of terrorism. He added that resources allocated to combating terrorism will be redirected toward development, production, investment, and employment.
Emine Erdoğan’s Letter to Melania Trump
Erdoğan referred to a letter from his wife, Emine Erdoğan, to Melania Trump concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling it an important initiative in humanitarian diplomacy that has added a new dimension to Turkey’s efforts.
The South Caucasus and the Zangezur Corridor
The Turkish president expressed hope that the South Caucasus would achieve peace, saying that Azerbaijan and Armenia have overcome existing obstacles. He stressed that the project will help boost trade and open borders.
Economic Situation
Erdoğan assessed the country’s economy positively, highlighting second-quarter growth of 4.8%, a single-digit unemployment rate, foreign exchange reserves exceeding 178 billion dollars, and declining inflation. He expressed hope that Turkey would join the group of high-income countries this year, stating: “On the one hand, we are growing; on the other hand, unemployment and inflation are decreasing.”
