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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Türkiye's crucial position in ensuring Europe's security and prosperity during the 6th European Political Community summit held in Tirana, while also discussing his administration's recent breakthrough in domestic counterterrorism efforts.
Speaking to journalists following his visit to Albania, Erdogan underscored Türkiye's "key role in Europe's security, prosperity, and stability" and shared details about recent diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"The time has come to leave behind political obstacles and prejudiced attitudes that hinder deeper cooperation," Erdogan said. "Otherwise, it will not be possible for Europe to achieve the transformation it desperately needs, and its competitiveness will decrease significantly in every sense."
"We expect the support of all relevant parties, including the European Union, for the sensitive process we are pursuing with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the immediate establishment of peace in Ukraine," he added.
The Turkish president revealed ongoing diplomatic efforts with both Russian and Ukrainian leadership to facilitate peace negotiations.
"We are not merely saying 'end the war,' but proposing methods, preparing ground, and making calls," Erdogan stated. "For the war to end, weapons must be silenced, and diplomacy must speak. Peace negotiations should begin, and this opportunity should not be missed."
"This war cannot reach a conclusion through conflicts and weapons. Our greatest desire is to achieve a definite result from peace talks," he emphasized. "Therefore, we are determined to continue our mediator role to end this war. We will make every effort to keep dialogue channels open between the parties and to continue negotiations."
Addressing domestic security matters, Erdogan highlighted recent progress in counterterrorism efforts, referring to what he called "the end of a 50-year nightmare" with the PKK terrorist organization's announcement that it would dissolve and lay down arms.
"The ultimate goal of a terrorless Türkiye is clear. Laying down weapons completely, implementing the dissolution decision fully, and abandoning illegality are mandatory," Erdogan said. "We will follow the implementation of these decisions very closely. We will achieve a terrorless Türkiye without harming the spiritual memory of our martyrs and the rights of their families and veterans."
"Look, the terror scourge was a shackle put on this country's feet for years. We've started breaking the chains that slowed us down and bound our feet," he continued. "Why were celebrations held in the Southeast and East when the terrorist organization left the regions? All these celebrations had a meaning. My citizens danced there because peace has now come to the East and Southeast."
The president emphasized that these developments would transform the economic conditions in these regions.
"The economic revival in this region will happen together with this climate of peace. The lives of my people in the East and Southeast will become very different. Both commercial life will be revitalized, and my citizens will be able to breathe on streets and avenues. Highlands will come to life and stand up. Our shepherds will be able to live safely with their flocks in the highlands," Erdogan stated. "Our expectation is to close the terrorism chapter once and for all."
Erdogan also addressed ongoing humanitarian efforts in Gaza, detailing Turkish Red Crescent operations.
"Right now, we are providing all kinds of food aid to Gaza with our Red Crescent and our own infrastructure, and we continue to do so," Erdogan said. "You see how from 7 to 70, children, women, men in Gaza line up with pots and pans for food. There is practically a nation condemned to starvation there, and we see what is being done to them."
"Thank goodness our Red Crescent is performing a very serious duty there. They have a significant amount of canned meat. With these canned goods, the Red Crescent is striving to help those poor, hungry, and destitute people," he continued. "Now Eid al-Adha is coming. With Eid al-Adha, we are trying to deliver our aid to the region, both as meat and as sacrificial animals. Similarly, we will try to reach there with canned-type aid."
"Gaza is really very deprived, very destitute in this regard. May God help them. Gaza does not have even one day to lose. We express this on every platform. We explain this to every leader, every counterpart we meet," Erdogan emphasized.
"Israeli aggression in Gaza must be stopped. We are doing everything we can for this. The path to lasting peace in the region passes through a two-state solution. The most effective way is the establishment of a Palestinian state with geographical integrity, with East Jerusalem as its capital, within the 1967 borders."
Responding to questions about U.S. approval of over $300 million in air-to-air missile sales to Türkiye, Erdogan indicated a thaw in relations.
"Regarding CAATSA, we can comfortably say there is a softening," Erdogan stated. "We discussed and talked about these with US President Donald Trump and the newly appointed US Ambassador to Türkiye, Tom Barrack, during our reception. I believe we will overcome the CAATSA process much more quickly. As two major NATO allies, there should not be any restrictions or obstacles between us in the field of defense."
"The decision taken is very appropriate in this regard. Our biggest expectation is the removal of all obstacles that are contrary to the spirit of our strategic partnership. Every positive step taken in this direction is valuable to us. I believe more will follow," he continued. "With my friend Trump taking office, we have achieved more open, more constructive, more sincere communication on these issues."
Erdogan briefly touched on relations with Syria and the implementation of the "terror-free- Türkiye" initiative beyond borders. "The works on how the organization will be disbanded and weapons will be surrendered are being followed by our state's security units," he explained.
"Discussions are being held with counterparts in our neighbors about how terrorists outside our borders will surrender their weapons. There are plans for how the Baghdad and Erbil administrations will take part in this process," he added.
"We currently have very good relations with the Syrian administration. Syrian President Mr. Ahmed Shara has come to Türkiye twice. We had extremely productive discussions," Erdogan added. "Initially, our Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Defense Minister Yasar Guler held talks regarding the question you asked. Our contacts continue. God willing, we will achieve what we hope for."
The Turkish president also mentioned his administration's readiness to assist in mediation efforts between India and Pakistan.
"We are making every effort possible on this issue as well. In fact, during these recent developments, we had all kinds of discussions with Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. What can we do? How can we help you? We planned these by talking with them and took our steps accordingly. Thank Allah, the matter reached a certain point. In the end, they reconciled. Fortunately, a calm atmosphere has been achieved," Erdogan stated.
"Addressing issues in a measured way to prevent tensions from escalating again can bring the parties closer to a solution. As Türkiye, we desire a solution to the problem with an approach based on human rights, including international organizations. If requested by the parties, we will certainly do our part. We want peace; we want no tension between two neighbors," he concluded.
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