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"With the reforms we implemented in the last 21 years, we have freed our country from the shackles," said President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chairperson Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressing the 14th Ambassadors Conference yesterday (August 8) in Ankara.
Erdogan outlined being the"standard-bearer of Islam" and the vision of a "century of Turkey" as the objectives of his government.
Stating that they have changed Turkey's face in every field from economy to security, defense industry, education, health, and energy, Erdogan mentioned that Turkey's foreign affairs have become one of the world's top five largest diplomatic networks with 260 representations.
"A Master Chess Player"
Referring to himself as a "master chess player," Erdogan told the Ambassadors, "Turkey, located at the heart of three continents, cannot just be a spectator to events." "Being in the field is not a choice for us but a necessity. And this can be achieved by a constructive, active, and balanced foreign policy," he added.
Expressing that they are committed to safeguarding Turkey's interests using all diplomatic tools and both hard and soft power elements, Erdogan outlined the regime's international priorities under the following headings:
▶ Iraq and Syria: "As stability is achieved, the voluntary, secure, and dignified return of refugees will accelerate [...] The housing projects we have started building will encourage more refugees to return to their homes."
▶ Ukraine war: "Right from the beginning, Turkey assumed the role of a key country in resolving the crisis, with a balanced and fair approach. Alongside the Istanbul process, where we brought the warring parties to the same table for the first time, we have also made efforts to find solutions to conflicts through prisoner exchanges and the Black Sea initiative, aiming to stop the flow of bloodshed."
Putin as sensitive as Erdoğan on the "grain issue"
▶ The grain corridor: "Thanks to our efforts, the extension of the Black Sea initiative twice has prevented a food crisis that could have cost hundreds of thousands of lives. Putin is sensitive like us, to the re-implementation of the initiative, suspended as of July 17, especially regarding African nations' access to grain products. The solution depends on Western countries fulfilling their promises."
▶ Possibility of war: "We do not want to see more war, more blood, and tears. Especially the spread of war to the Black Sea would be a disaster for our entire region. By meticulously implementing the Montreux Convention on the Straits, we have prevented such a tragedy from occurring so far. We will continue to work sincerely to reduce tensions and save both sides' from being sucked into such a vortex."
▶ Foreign trade and tourism: "We are determined to maintain the positive agenda we have established with regional countries, with the EU, and our NATO allies recently. During this challenging period of trying to heal the wounds caused by earthquakes, each of our ambassadors must also be a pioneer of our country's export campaign in their places of duty. There is no other way for Turkey than to produce more and export more in every sector. You should increase your efforts to promote Turkish products, find new markets for our businesses, and attract more tourists to our country."
Mission: "The Standard-Bearer of Islam"
▶ "Islamophobia": "We need to put more effort into combating the Islamophobia that has reached intolerable levels in some European countries in the last weeks. Preventing attacks on our sacred book, the Quran, and ensuring that the perpetrators of these hate crimes receive the punishment they deserve... is our primary duty... Turkey will fulfill the responsibility of being the standard-bearer of this fight, just as it has done for centuries."
▶ "Turkey Century Vision": "I expect you to wholeheartedly support our vision for the Turkish century that we declared with the slogans 'the world is bigger than five' and 'a fairer world is possible'."
(AEK/PE)
