Wishing Allah’s mercy upon UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Erdoğan noted that he would pay a visit to the UAE to offer his condolences.

“We are following the developments about Sweden and Finland”

In answer to a question about Finland’s and Sweden’s possible NATO membership, Erdoğan said: “We are following the developments about Sweden and Finland; however, we don’t have a positive opinion because the governments before us made a mistake about Greece on NATO and you know the attitude Greece has displayed relying on NATO. As Türkiye, we don’t want to make a second mistake on this issue. What is more, Scandinavian countries are unfortunately like a guesthouse of terrorist organizations. The PKK, DHKP-C nestle in Sweden, the Netherlands. They even find a place for themselves in the parliaments there. At this point, it is not possible for us to have a positive opinion.”

In response to a question that suggested that Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis would seek to prevent the US from selling F16 fighter jets to Türkiye during his upcoming meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday, Erdoğan stated that it would be too early to make comments and that Türkiye would determine its approach after seeing US President Biden’s messages in particular.

“We will continue to do in Syria’s north what we have done in Iraq’s north” 

Responding to a question about the US decision to ease sanctions in Syria, Erdoğan said: “First of all, the YPG is a terrorist organization. The PKK and the YPG are the same. Therefore, it is not possible for us to accept this mistake of the US. Unfortunately, all the recent administrations in the US have provided every kind of material support to the PKK terrorist organization and the groups in Syria, in the north of Syria. They have transferred equipment and ammunition to these places by trucks. Even though we have told these to the administrations that have come to power, they have not been heeded and the process has gone on in the same manner. And now we hear such things.”

Stressing that Türkiye would continue to do in northern Syria what it had done in northern Iraq, Erdoğan said that Türkiye would progress on its path with the same determination regardless of who backed its enemies.

Drawing attention to Türkiye’s ongoing Operation Claw-Lock, Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: “82 terrorists have been neutralized as of yesterday in the Operation Claw-Lock. This figure will grow much further if weather conditions continue favorably. That is so because we cannot afford to give any respite to these terrorists. And we tell this to the countries that appear to be our friends as well. You are making a mistake. Take the right steps.”

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan stressed that 2½ months passed since the outbreak of the war and that Türkiye would continue to urge the parties to immediately terminate the war. (ILKHA)