Erdoğan: We Have Security Issues with the United States

 

President Erdoğan, at the Closing Ceremony of the Turkey-Africa 4th Business and Economy Forum at the Istanbul Congress Center, spoke about the activities of the United States in Syria and how they pose an "extraordinary threat" to Turkey's national security.

Key points from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"We Have Increased the Number of Our Embassies in Africa to 44" "In 2005, we declared the Year of Africa in our country, opening a new page in our relations with the continent. Africa holds a special place not only in the hearts of the Turkish nation but also in our foreign policy. Africa has a very unique place in my heart. Once someone goes to Africa, they always want to go again." "We have increased the number of our embassies in Africa to 44. I want to share some figures for the sake of showing our joint success. Our trade volume with the continent, which was $5.4 billion in 2003, approached $41 billion at the end of last year. Our companies are contributing to employment in Africa by meeting most of their workforce needs locally." "On the 7th Day of the Hamas-Israel Conflict" "The events that have occurred between Israel and Palestine have deeply affected all of us. We are concerned about the possibility of the tension spreading further in the region. I clearly state that we do not accept attacks such as the bombing of mosques, hospitals, and civilian settlements. Cutting off the electricity, water, and food of 2 million people squeezed into 360 square kilometers is a violation of the most basic human rights. America and the United Kingdom are talking about sending aircraft carriers. Right now, in Gaza, everything, women, children, mothers, everything, is being destroyed. We are sending a humanitarian aid plane to El-Arish Airport, including medicine, durable food, canned goods, diapers, and medical supplies. Since the conflicts started, our plane carrying the first aid cargo to the region landed at the airport at 12:00 today. We will continue to deliver our humanitarian aid to Gaza. We invite all parties to first establish a ceasefire and then to discuss permanent peace." "Gaza Is Currently in a Victim Status" "Gaza is currently in a victim status, but Israel is not in a victim status at the moment. Sending an aircraft carrier does not contribute to peace at all. The foreign minister of the United States is talking to my foreign minister; he says, 'I approach Israel not with the title of foreign minister but as a Jew.' What kind of politician is this, what kind of approach is this? When you say this, what will the other side say? If they say, 'I approach the region as a Muslim,' what will you say? We don't say Jewish here and Turkish there, we approach the other person as a human being. Don't you see the condition of those children?" "Israeli Embassies in Turkey Are Under Protection" "We have taken all our Israeli embassies in the country under protection of every kind. Anything can happen during times like these. Peace will not come to the region until a sovereign Palestinian state is established." "We Have Security Issues with the United States" "The activities of the United States with the Syrian extensions of the PKK in this country pose an extraordinary threat to Turkey's national security. We view with a bitter smile the play being staged against us. We will continue to take the steps required by our national security, leaving those who play a drama to their own scripts. Aren't we together with the United States in NATO? We are together. Did the United States shoot down our UAVs? Yes, they did. How can we be together in NATO when such things happen?"

Please note that this is a translation of President Erdoğan's statements in Turkish.