Slanders against Türkiye are Israel's attempts to cover up its “barbarity in Gaza,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Addressing the media after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan said: "We pay no heed to the slanders directed at our country by the murder network that has the blood of 75,000 innocent people in Gaza, mostly children and women, on its hands."
Türkiye's history, he said, includes the virtue of giving refuge to those fleeing Nazi persecution and "those who slander Türkiye to cover up their barbarity in Gaza know it best."
“We do not take the slanders against our country by the network of murderers, whose hands are stained with the blood of 73,000 innocent Gazans, most of them children and women, even the slightest bit seriously. There is no genocide, no massacre, no oppression and no colonialism in our history. In our thousands of years of glorious history, there is only justice and compassion.
“There is the act of extending a hand to all the oppressed, regardless of their religion, origin or identity. There is the virtue of protecting those who fled the Inquisition and Nazi persecution. There is the dignified stance of our heroic ancestors, who said: ‘I would give up my throne, I would give up my crown, but I would not hand over those who have taken refuge in my state.’ Those who slander Türkiye and the Turkish nation to cover up their barbarity in Gaza know this best, if they look at their own history,” he said.
Türkiye supports Venezuela with all its means
Erdogan also expressed support for Venezuela, which was hit by twin earthquakes on June 24, saying Türkiye stands with the “friendly and brotherly” Venezuelan people “with all our means.”
“Under the coordination of AFAD and in cooperation with our Ministry of National Defense, we swiftly dispatched two military transport aircraft to the disaster zone. A total of 75 personnel, five search and rescue vehicles and six search and rescue dogs have reached Venezuela and begun their work.
“In contact with international coordination mechanisms, we are both contributing to search and rescue efforts and making the necessary plans to meet priority humanitarian needs in the region. We are also pleased to observe that our municipalities are organizing various aid campaigns for the friendly people of Venezuela. I once again extend my condolences and best wishes to the government and people of Venezuela, and I would like to reiterate that the Turkish nation stands and will continue to stand with them,” he added.
Developing satellite is 'a necessity, not a choice'
He underlined the importance of Türkiye’s space ambitions, saying developing satellite capabilities is “a necessity, not a choice” for the country.
“When we look at the developments around us, we can see this very clearly: the defining characteristic of the age we live in is information, knowledge, and data. Without exception, all states are in intense competition to adapt to the information age. Not only states, but also major companies are trying to have a say in this field.
"Satellite technologies are among the leading areas where competition between states and companies is being fiercely waged. As Türkiye, we are striving to take the place we deserve in this race,” he said.
Türkiye's military shipbuilding
Drawing attention to the work being done in the defense industry and emphasizing that Türkiye was not inactive in this area as well, Erdogan said: “In the current world order, where the mentality of ‘every man for himself’ prevails, we are preparing ourselves for every possible scenario. We are currently the world’s 11th-largest country in defense exports.”
He said that, as in other fields, Türkiye is experiencing “the brightest days in its history” in military shipbuilding.
Erdogan noted that more than 140 naval platforms have been exported to various parts of the world so far and that more than 50 warships are currently being built in Turkish shipyards.
The president said Türkiye has once again witnessed the proud level reached by Turkish maritime capabilities on June 20.
“At the ceremony we held in Istanbul, we delivered the CAm. Roman corvette, which we developed with our own capabilities, to the Romanian Naval Forces. At the same ceremony, our Kochisar offshore patrol vessel was also added to our navy’s inventory. Thus, for the first time in our history, we exported a warship to a NATO and EU member country,” he said.
Türkiye welcomes Poland’s support for 2-state solution
Noting that Polish President Karol Nawrocki was hosted on June 23, Erdogan said the meeting addressed many issues, including cooperation in the defense industry.
He said that the previously set target of $10 billion in trade volume with Poland had been reached and that the new target has been set at $15 billion.
“Our contracting companies have undertaken projects worth $9 billion in Poland. I believe this figure will increase further,” he said.
Erdogan said that the meeting also addressed the Russia-Ukraine war and the Iran crisis, urging that both issues be resolved through "a just peace."
He said Türkiye values Poland’s support for a two-state solution, noting that Poland is among the countries that recognize Palestine and that Türkiye expects this support to continue growing stronger.
