Erdoğan: History shows cost of hostility and value of friendship with Turks

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that history demonstrates the benefits of friendship with the Turkish people and the consequences of hostility toward them.

He made the remarks during the EFES-2026 military exercises, which involve more than 1,300 soldiers from 50 friendly, fraternal, and allied countries, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The president emphasised that the Turkish Armed Forces carry the “historical memory and ideals” not only of their own nation but also of the wider region, and continue to preserve them.

“The Turkish Armed Forces are an army of peace. The Turkish Armed Forces are an army of tranquillity. The Turkish Armed Forces are an army of stability. (...) Throughout history, our army has never destroyed the places it has entered; on the contrary, it has rebuilt what was destroyed. Even in the harshest conditions, it has never harmed any person, living being, tree, or city except enemy elements; on the contrary, it has developed and revived destroyed places. The Turkish Armed Forces are not only a guarantee of the security of its country and nation, but also a key guarantee of regional and global peace, tranquillity, and stability,” the Turkish leader said.

Erdoğan also stated that the modern world is undergoing a period of transformation, with changes in security architecture, international law, and global balances, moving toward a multipolar system.

“New balances and new alliances are forming in the world, but a new global order has not yet been established. Our world is rapidly evolving from a status quo shaped by a handful of great powers toward a multipolar and multi-actor structure. The wider region we are in is also the centre of gravity of this process. Turkey’s name is increasingly coming to the forefront as one of the influential actors of the new era. While pessimistic scenarios are being written for the future, we are striving to position our country in key roles in all areas, especially in regional peace,” he said.

Turkish leader further stressed that Ankara will continue to defend peace and stability and oppose those who “invest in war and chaos.”

“We will resolutely continue to defend the shared values of all humanity in the face of genocidal gangs that kill children, women, and the elderly in Gaza, Lebanon, and other parts of our region. History is full of countless examples of the benefits of friendship with the Turkish people and the losses brought by enmity with Turks,” he added.

By Jeyhun Aghazada