ISTANBUL 

Türkiye will make no compromises whatsoever with its defense industry, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz said Thursday.

Speaking at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Yilmaz said Türkiye will continue to prioritize the defense industry.

Türkiye must be a deterrent force and further develop its defense industry in a world where NATO members have committed to invest 5% of GDP annually on core defense requirements, the European Union has announced its Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, and where geopolitical risks are rising, he stressed.

He said Türkiye has always been a country that prioritizes diplomacy and peace.

"A concrete example of this is that it is a country that has prioritized diplomacy and peace on many issues, from Gaza to Karabakh, from Ukraine to Somalia and Ethiopia," he said.

"But we have also learned this: no matter how right you are, if you are not strong, you cannot live in this world relying on the mercy of others,” he added.

"We saw this in Gaza. We will be both strong and right. We must do both, and as the Republic of Türkiye, we will do so."

Touching on the inflation issue, he emphasized that September inflation exceeded expectations, creating a more cautious outlook for the year-end forecast.

He said that once they see October's inflation figures, the country will be able to make a more accurate year-end forecast, slightly below or above 30%.

"September was an unusual month. Therefore, I am among those who believe that things will return to normal in October," he said.

He recalled that inflation was around 65% in 2023 and fell to 44% in 2024.

"This year, our program target is to see it below 30%. Next year, below 20%, and the following year, single digits. This is our roadmap," he stressed.