Addressing retired citizens during an iftar dinner, Erdoğan said: “We will always stand with you during your retirement, as we did during your work life. We will shape the Century of Türkiye with your experience, knowledge and wide horizon.”

“Our Palestinian brothers and sisters are never alone”

Beginning his speech by stressing his sorrow and anger over Israeli police’s acts of terror against Al-Aqsa Mosque and them targeting Palestinian Muslims, President Erdoğan said: “Türkiye will never remain silent or inactive in the face of these attacks. The infringement of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the violation of the sanctity of Harem Al-Sharif are our red lines. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters defending Al-Quds at the cost of their lives are never alone. On behalf of my country and nation, I condemn the despicable acts against the first qibla of Muslims, and call for the attacks to be ceased immediately.”

“The resources in our cities are at the disposal of our pensioners first and foremost”

Noting that retirement does not mean being detached from life but rather stepping into a new phase of life, Erdoğan said: “We highly treasure our retired brothers and sisters, who spent the most beautiful and productive years of their lives serving their country and nation. It is the biggest of honors for us to be by your side and at your service in the second spring of your lives.”

“While pensioners were almost left to death in many parts of the world during the pandemic, we attached utmost importance to them in Türkiye,” the President said, and added: “Our country’s healthcare infrastructure, which is the strongest in the world with its state-of-the-art hospitals and general health insurance system, serves pensioners the most. The means and resources in our cities, which we have equipped with parks, green spaces, walking tracks and outdoor sports facilities, are at the disposal of our retired citizens first and foremost.”

Pointing out that 2.25 million more citizens have acquired the right to retirement through a recently-enacted law, Erdoğan further stressed: “We will always stand with you during your retirement, as we did during your work life. We will shape the Century of Türkiye with your experience, knowledge and wide horizon.” (ILKHA)