Dilara Hamit
October 15, 2020•Update: October 16, 2020
ANKARA
Turkey's president on Thursday dismissed reports of early elections in the country, saying they would be held on schedule in June 2023.
"In which developed country of the world is an election held outside the determined time? These are things done by tribal states," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan asserted that it was out of the question for the date of the vote to be brought forward.
The president said in a period when there is a process of global restructuring in political and economic terms, “we should use all of our power, energy and time to achieve our goals.”
He stated that seismic research and drilling activities were ongoing and that he would follow the work on board the drilling ship on Saturday.
"As Turkey will advance in democracy and the economy these kinds of issues will eventually completely be out of the agenda," Erdogan said.
Turkey stands with the oppressed
Erdogan stated that Turkey will continue to stand with the oppressed.
"On the one hand, there is oppression in Libya, we cannot remain silent. In Syria, there is persecution along our 910-kilometer (565-mile) long border. What shall we do? Shall we stay silent? On the other hand, there is persecution in Somalia, should we just watch? You are witnessing the persecution by Armenians in Azerbaijan. These are our brothers, should we just watch?" Erdogan said.
"We cannot stop, there is a responsibility that our ancestors placed upon us throughout the history," he said.
