ISTANBUL

Türkiye will never tolerate coercion, piracy, or banditry in its maritime “blue homeland,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

In a New Year’s message shared by the Presidency, Erdogan said Ankara is closely monitoring rising provocations and threats to Türkiye’s interests and those of the Turkish Cypriot people in the Eastern Mediterranean.

He said he hopes the new year brings prosperity to the country, the nation, and all humanity, commemorated Turkish security and military personnel who gave their lives fighting terrorism, organized crime, and other threats to the state, and expressed gratitude to veterans who made great sacrifices for the peace and security of Türkiye’s 86 million citizens.

Saying that the past year saw significant developments both at home and abroad, Erdogan added: “Despite the growing environment of war, crisis, and tension in our region, Türkiye is confidently continuing its blessed journey under the management of trustworthy and capable officials.”

He said Türkiye is seeing positive results from its economic program, noting that the disinflation process is continuing and the Central Bank’s reserves are strengthening, while production, investment, employment, and exports are gaining momentum.

“We are breaking records in many fields, from tourism to the defense industry,” Erdogan said, adding that a landmark social housing project of half a million units will help low-income citizens become homeowners and contribute to easing high housing and rental prices.

He also said the government aims to crown this year’s economic gains with reforms by gradually implementing the Century of Türkiye Reform Program with parliamentary support.

Erdogan stressed that healing the damage caused by the Feb. 6, 2023 earthquakes, the “disaster of the century,” was the government’s top priority this year, stressing that cities had their infrastructure, public spaces, and cultural fabric restored.

He noted that on Dec. 27 the keys to the 455,000th earthquake housing unit were handed over to beneficiaries in Hatay and said he hopes the new homes and workplaces bring good fortune to survivors.

Erdogan thanked workers, institutions and philanthropists who contributed to post-quake reconstruction efforts, and urged critics to visit disaster-hit cities to see the progress firsthand. He said the government would continue to fulfill its promises and not disappoint the people.

Regional solidarity

Emphasizing that they will never forsake not only their own people but any brother or sister who looks to Türkiye, Erdogan said: “The reflections of our politics, centered on rights, justice and conscience, are visible across our region, especially in Syria and Gaza.”

In neighboring Syria, which regained its freedom with the December 2024 revolution, recovery has accelerated and significant progress toward political stability has been made in a short time, he said.

“As peace becomes more firmly established in Syria, voluntary returns have increased,” Erdogan said, noting that over the past year 600,000 Syrians have returned to their own country from Türkiye, where millions sought shelter during the long civil war.

“We believe that a strong Syria, having secured its political unity and territorial integrity, will make exceptional contributions both to its surroundings and to the world,” Erdogan added.

He said Türkiye will continue to support Syria’s new administration to ensure security and stability for all Syrians, stressing the absence of any discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or sect, including Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Sunnis, Shiites, and Alawites.

Accountability on Gaza

Erdogan said Türkiye will not remain silent until those responsible for the deaths of 71,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children, are held accountable.

“The (Oct. 10) ceasefire in Gaza, achieved with our contributions, is still holding thanks to the restraint of our Gazan brothers and sisters despite all of Israel’s violations,” he said.

The president added that Ankara is working intensively to ensure Israel stops its attacks, speeds up the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and allows reconstruction efforts to begin.

He said Türkiye is continuing its initiatives to end the Russia-Ukraine war, which is close to entering its fifth year, as soon as possible through a just and lasting peace.

Key thresholds crossed in ‘terror-free Türkiye’ process

Pointing out that important thresholds have been crossed in the “terror-free Türkiye” process, which will open a brand-new chapter not only for the country but also for the region, Erdogan said the People’s Alliance has acted constructively and with a solution-oriented approach throughout the process, stressing that no effort has been spared to ensure its success.

“Our National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission will, God willing, soon finalize its concluding report, which we believe will give new momentum to the process,” Erdogan said, adding that the initiative aimed at ending a decades-long problem must not be undermined by short-term political interests and that the government will do whatever is necessary to ensure its success.

Saying that for 23 years of Justice and Development (AK) Party rule they have served all 86 million citizens with nothing but love for the nation and the homeland, Erdogan said they would continue to work selflessly for the prosperity, peace, and well-being of all Türkiye.

He added that the government will continue in 2026 to focus on action and tangible results rather than rhetoric, emphasizing projects and investments.

The president thanked those supporting the Century of Türkiye vision and extended bountiful New Year’s wishes to Türkiye and its people, the region, and all humanity.