President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the 10^th Economic Forum of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

Underlining that people who besmirch and belittle their own civilization and culture cannot contribute to the future of their countries, President Erdoğan stressed that the biggest problem Turkiye faces is not the powers that it competes with abroad, but the incompetents at home who "have always acted under the shadow and command of others since they don't know and believe in the strength of their own country or trust in their own people."

President Erdoğan stated: "We should seek to grow our revenues by expanding our businesses rather than by resorting to price increases that cannot be explained by foreign exchange or interest rates."

"We should follow the right paths to enhance our economy and boost our prosperity. We stand by our businesspeople, but stand against speculators."

"We don't have any designs on Syria's territorial integrity"

President Erdoğan also touched upon Turkiye's ongoing fight against terror and the latest developments in Syria.

Stressing that whoever stages an attack on Turkiye, whether it be DAESH or the PYD/YPG, shall pay the price for it, President Erdoğan noted that the issue of a safe zone in Syria also came up during his phone call with U.S. President Trump.

Pointing out that the issue will also be on the agenda during his visit to Russia on Wednesday, President Erdoğan said: "We have made a promise to ensure the peace of our Syrian brothers and sisters in those terror-free safe zones in Syria. We don't have any designs on Syria's territorial integrity. Syria belongs to the Syrians."

"We will not allow anyone to make Turkiye pay new prices"

"Turkiye proved its resolve in its Syrian policy with operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch as well as with the initiative it took in Idlib. We have explored, and continue to explore, every avenue for a peaceful solution to the problem in Manbij and in the east of Euphrates," President Erdoğan said.

"Turkiye has paid many prices since the promises made to it have not been kept in Syria. ?We will not allow anyone to make Turkiye pay new prices. If there is a price to be paid, the terrorist organizations, which target Turkiye and their supporters will pay it," he warned. (ILKHA)