President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Turkey will respond strongly to threats against its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Turkish Cypriots.
In his speech at the AK Party group meeting held in Ankara, Erdoğan stated that no provocation targeting Turkey’s sovereignty and the rights of Turkish Cypriots will be allowed. He emphasized that a clear stance will be taken against pressure attempts directed at Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Addressing Syria and Lebanon, Erdoğan said that the security of these countries cannot be considered separate from Turkey’s security. He stressed that attacks and threats against Damascus and Beirut are unacceptable for Turkey.
Erdoğan also expressed opposition to Israel’s expansionist policies in the region and criticized the international response as insufficient. He reminded that Turkey continues to seek a diplomatic solution to the Palestinian issue.
Referring to the crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, Erdoğan said the region has been worn down by successive conflicts. He also touched on the tensions around Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean, stating that Turkey is one of the guarantor states on Cyprus and will not back down from protecting the rights of the Turkish side.