Erdoğan says no one has right to point finger at Türkiye

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated that no authority can point a finger at Türkiye.

Delivering a wide-ranging speech at a parliamentary group meeting of his Justice and Development Party, Erdoğan warned those who insult him and his country on social media, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

“I want to remind these child-killers of some facts: The Republic of Türkiye is not an ordinary state,” he said, noting no one should mistake Türkiye’s gentleness and common sense for the obedience of sheep.

“Let no one harbour such illusions. We consider it the greatest honour, if necessary, to rest dignified under the ground rather than live dishonourably above it,” he added.

Addressing the issues of rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, he made it clear that they were putting forward the necessary proposals and initiatives to reduce tensions, extend the ceasefire, and continue negotiations.

“As I have said before, negotiations are not possible with clenched fists. We must not allow weapons to speak again in place of words. The window of opportunity opened by the ceasefire must be fully utilized,” he stressed.

According to him, the Israeli government, which is known to be particularly dissatisfied with the ceasefire, must not be allowed to sabotage this process.

Erdoğan said the global system established after the Second World War is facing a crisis, and ongoing global conflicts require urgent de-escalation.

The president also reaffirmed support for the Palestinian people and sharply criticised developments in the region, saying that Türkiye would continue to defend its position and would not yield to external pressure.

Erdoğan also commented on domestic politics, energy policy, and international affairs.

He marked the Week of Remembrance of the Martyrs, paying tribute to fallen soldiers and expressing gratitude to veterans.

He mentioned the state “will always stand by” their families.

The president also commented on an incident at a high school in Türkiye’s Şanlıurfa province, where 16 people were injured. He said an investigation has been launched, one person has been detained, and several education officials have been suspended. Erdoğan vowed that “those responsible will definitely be held accountable.”

A significant portion of his speech focused on energy policy. He said Türkiye is steadily moving toward energy independence by diversifying supply sources and expanding domestic production.

Erdoğan highlighted increased natural gas output in the Black Sea, saying it already supplies energy to millions of households and will continue to expand in the coming years. He also pointed to the development of renewable energy and nuclear power projects.

Erdoğan said offshore drilling operations are continuing outside Türkiye, including in Somalia, describing them as an example of “mutually beneficial cooperation.” He noted that the Turkish drilling vessel Çağrı Bey has begun operations off the Somali coast following preliminary seismic surveys.

Concluding his speech, Erdoğan said Türkiye has significantly strengthened its position over the past 23 years.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov