President Erdogan spotlights Türkiye's multi-dimensional foreign policy

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Saturday highlighted Türkiye's commitment to a multi-dimensional foreign policy at the Naval Academy graduation ceremony held in Istanbul.

"While strengthening our relations with the East, we will seek ways to advance our deep-rooted cooperation with the West," the president said.

Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (sol 3), İstanbul Tuzla'daki Milli Savunma Üniversitesi (MSÜ) Deniz Harp Okulu Diploma Alma ve Sancak Devir Teslim Töreni'ne katıldı. Törende, TBMM Başkanı Numan Kurtulmuş (sol 2) ve Milli Savunma Bakanı Yaşar Güler (sol 4) de yer aldı. ( TCCB / Murat Çetinmühürdar - Anadolu Ajansı )Cumhurbaşkanı Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, İstanbul Tuzla'daki Milli Savunma Üniversitesi (MSÜ) Deniz Harp Okulu Diploma Alma ve Sancak Devir Teslim Töreni'ne katıldı. ( TCCB / Murat Çetinmühürdar - Anadolu Ajansı )

Balancing East, West

Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye does not need to choose between the European Union (EU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), aiming to maintain strong ties with both.

Reaffirming Türkiye's stance on the Cyprus issue, Erdogan declared: "We will protect our rights in the Blue Homeland to the end and will not allow the rights of our Turkish Cypriot brothers to be violated."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden (R) shake hands during a meeting at a NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, June 29, 2022. (AA Photo)President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) within the scope of his contacts at the 24th Summit of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Kazakhstan on July 4, 2024. (AA Photo)Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (L) as part of the three-day NATO summit in Washington DC., United States on July 10, 2024. The closed-door meeting came on the sidelines of a NATO leaders' summit in Washington where the 32 allies of the group marked the alliance's 75th anniversary. (AA Photo)

Defense Industry advancements

He also highlighted advancements in Türkiye's defense industry, including the development of a new submarine project and ongoing efforts to build an aircraft carrier, which he claimed would elevate the Turkish navy to "a different league."

"Türkiye is the protector of the oppressed. The Turkish nation will continue to make history and shape its direction for centuries to come," The Turkish president added.

TCG Pirireis seen at the Istanbul strait, Türkiye (AA Photo)A Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat drone is pictured at SAHA EXPO Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey, October 27, 2022. (Reuters)TAI Aksungur, unmanned combat aerial vehicle built by Turkish Aerospace Industries for the Turkish Armed ForceThe picture shows Turkish warships. (Photo via Navalnews)

He stressed crucial steps are being taken to strengthen the Turkish navy, including the addition of six modern submarines to the fleet.

"We are steadily implementing our new submarine project, and discussions are ongoing for our flagship aircraft carrier. The Turkish navy will rise to a different league," the president concluded.

September 01, 2024 11:58 AM GMT+03:00