Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the National Intelligence Organization’s (MIT) new service building in Istanbul, Erdoğan said: “Thanks to our widening area of influence in foreign intelligence, our country has begun to take its place on all platforms as a regional and global power. Thanks to our accomplishments in intelligence diplomacy, we can conduct our other works in a more powerful and determined manner.”

“Our goal is to make Istanbul one of the top financial, commercial, medical, educational and cultural centers in the world”

Underscoring that Istanbul is the center of not only Turkey but also the world, Erdoğan said: “Every step we take here, every activity attracts the attention of the entire world. As a global point of transit and trade, Istanbul has always had a strategic importance. Today, the city maintains its appeal.”

“Like every great civilization and state, our ancestors dreamed of conquering Istanbul and endeavored greatly to this end. The honor to realize our ancestors’ dream was granted to Mehmed the Conqueror. We see that even though it has been centuries since the conquest, the fact that Istanbul belongs to the Turkish nation and Muslims still cannot be accepted. During the process of reopening the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque for worship, we once again witnessed that there are people who find it hard to digest Istanbul’s identity as a Turkish territory which has continued since 1453,” Erdoğan said.

“Our goal is to make Istanbul one of the top financial, commercial, medical, educational and cultural centers in the world,” Erdoğan said.

“One aspect of this vision is to make Istanbul one of the safest cities in the world. In order to achieve that, great responsibilities fall on our security bodies as well as our intelligence organization. One of the conditions of living in such an important geography is to identify and thwart other countries’ and terrorist organizations’ espionage activities and efforts against our country.”

“MIT successfully conducts foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence activities as well as the fight against terrorist organizations”

Highlighting the importance of intelligence, Erdoğan praised MIT as follows: “Our organization successfully conducts foreign security, foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence activities as well as the fight against terrorist organizations such as the PKK, FETO, DAESH and DHKP-C.

“MIT conducts world-scale works on areas of cryptology, cyber, satellite and signal intelligence,” Erdoğan noted. “It is of great importance that the Istanbul Directorate [of MIT] have the capacity to effectively fight against terrorist organizations’ attack plots and foreign intelligence organizations’ espionage attempts.”

“Thanks to MIT’s close cooperation with other institutions, terrorist organizations’ capacity to carry out attacks in Istanbul has declined considerably. Our organization has achieved great success in foiling FETO-member traitors’ dreams to hide in Istanbul,” Erdoğan said.

Underscoring the major contributions of the MIT to Turkey’s effective operations both at home and abroad in the last 4 years, Erdoğan said: “The number of countries that ask for our help to recover their kidnapped citizens continue to increase. That an Italian citizen was recently rescued from terrorists in Somalia once again showed our country’s power and enhanced its prestige.”

“Terrorists now know that Turkey breathes down on their neck no matter where they are in the world”

“MIT’s intelligence diplomacy and joint operations have enabled the extradition of over 100 FETO members. The organization has also achieved great accomplishments in uncovering the FETO network in Turkey and in blocking the FETO’s financial, logistical and educational activities abroad,” Erdoğan said.

“Terrorists now know that the Republic of Turkey breathes down on their neck no matter where they are in the world,” Erdoğan highlighted. “The greatest blow in its history has been dealt to the PKK. Thanks to the MIT’s joint operations with the Turkish Armed Forces and the Police Force, the leadership of the PKK can no longer move freely.”

“MIT’s support has been a game-changer in stopping putschist Haftar’s advance in Libya”

“Our achievements in conflict zones enable our country to have a more powerful place at the table in diplomacy and to more effectively defend our national interests,” Erdoğan said. “The MIT has duly fulfilled its tasks such as clearing the Syrian border of terrorists, establishing safe zones, ensuring the safety of people who were forced to migrate, supporting the military in operation areas. MIT’s intelligence and operational support has been a game-changer in stopping the advance of putschist Haftar, who adopted military ways instead of political solution, in Libya,” Erdoğan underscored.

Erdoğan concluded his speech as follows: “Thanks to our widening area of influence in foreign intelligence, our country has begun to take its place on all platforms as a regional and global power. The National Intelligence Organization immediately intensifies its activities wherever Turkey’s interests requires a position to be taken. Thanks to our accomplishments in intelligence diplomacy, we can conduct our other works in a more powerful and determined manner.” (ILKHA)