Last minute! Good news from Erdoğan about a car factory in Samsun: Preparations are complete

The Presidential Cabinet convened under the chairmanship of PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan . The meeting, which started at 15:55 in the Presidential Complex, lasted 3 hours.

Here are the highlights from Erdoğan's speech; I greet you with my most heartfelt feelings, respect and affection. I send my greetings with the same feelings to our citizens who follow us on their screens and through social media platforms. I present my respects and love to all our friends, brothers, kinsmen and relatives who have embraced the love of Turkey and found peace in its warmth. We have just completed our cabinet meeting, where we discussed many issues from economy to foreign policy, from industry to internal and external security. With the understanding that those who serve find honor, we continue our struggle to build a great and powerful Turkey day and night with patience. Since our last cabinet meeting, we have tried to duly pay our debt of service to our beloved nation by making this country our flag. The visit of German President Mr. Steinmeier to our country was meaningful for us. We consulted with him in detail on many issues on our common agenda, such as the fight against terrorism, irregular migration, our citizens' visa problems, the defense industry and issues concerning the Turkish community in Germany. We have been drawing attention to the rise of anti-immigrant and Islamophobic far-right movements in Western countries, especially in Europe, for some time. Unfortunately, our concerns have been proven right in many recent elections.

'LIBERAL DEMOCRACY HAS ENTERED A SERIOUS CRISIS AND BOTTLE NECK'

Far-right movements have become the decisive actors of politics in Europe today. In addition to economic factors, the failure of central European politics to correctly read the spirit of the times is one of the main reasons for this. It is a fact that liberal democracy, the most attractive ideology of the past century, has entered a serious crisis and bottleneck. Liberal democracy, which was once shown as the remedy for all problems, has now lost its former power, reputation and influence. It is inadequate in drawing a course for society, giving meaning to politics and giving people hope and confidence.

'WESTERN LEADERS HAVE FAILED THE HUMANITY TEST IN GAZA'

Politics, like life, does not accept a vacuum. This is the situation experienced in the West today. As seen in the last elections, the vacuum that emerged in European democracies is being filled by far-right demagogues. Of course, the West's ambivalent attitude towards the genocide in Gaza that lasted 471 days should also be added to this. Western organizations and leaders who watched the massacre of more than 61 thousand civilians, mostly children and women, failed the humanitarian test in Gaza. It has been understood again, especially in this process, that Western values, which have been shown as an example to the world for years, do not have a common benefit target for humanity. It is also not possible to recover from the loss of reputation and trust in a short time. What is subordinate to us in the face of this picture is the protection of our interests. Similarly, we attach great importance to the peace and well-being of our citizens who have been living in Europe for 4-5 generations. We are following the developments carefully so that the far-right reality does not pose a threat to European Turks and Muslims. I believe it is useful to state the following here. We attach importance to the fact that our relations with the European Union have recently regained their old rhythm. In addition to the developments in Syria, the discussions in the context of the Ukraine war also reaffirm Europe's need for Turkey. But I would like to state this clearly and directly here. Only Turkey can save the European Union from the impasse it has fallen into, from the economy to defense, from politics to international reputation.

'IT IS TURKEY AGAIN THAT WILL GIVE LIFE WATER TO EUROPE'

Turkey's full membership in the union can save it. Turkey, Turkey's full membership, will be the lifeblood of Europe, whose economy and demographic structure are rapidly aging. The sooner the European Union confronts these facts, the better it will be for them. As always, we want to advance our membership process with a constructive understanding, based on mutual benefit and respect. If the necessary will is shown, we can obviously get it in a short time. But for this, the European Union and the countries that lead the union need to stop insisting on wrongdoings. We will all see how the process will evolve in the coming period.

'OUR VISIT WAS EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVE'

Dear friends, our trip to Southeast Asia last week has once again demonstrated the success of our foreign policy, which is enterprising, at peace with its historical and cultural depth, and focuses on people and conscience. Our visit to Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan, the shining stars of their regions with a total population of nearly 650 million, was extremely productive. We have further strengthened our commercial, economic, defense, cultural and human relations with a total of 48 documents we have signed. We have set new targets in foreign trade. We have decided to advance our defense industry cooperation, including joint production. It is impossible not to be touched by the trust, affection and love that overflows into the streets towards us and our delegation. We have been received with great kindness not only by the official authorities but especially by the people in all three countries. Thousands, tens of thousands of people greeted us with our red flags in their hands. The roads, buildings and billboards were decorated with photographs depicting our long-standing friendship with these countries. As an honorable son of this nation, I welcomed the compliments emphasizing Turkey's strengthening role in the Islamic world.

'TOGG HAS TURNED INTO THE SYMBOL OF TURKEY'

We have successfully completed another visit that gave confidence to our friends and struck fear into the hearts of our competitors together with our nation. One of the memorable aspects of our visit was our National Electric Car TOGG that we gifted to the leaders of all three countries. Beyond being a gift, TOGG has become the symbol of the new Turkey that is growing, growing stronger, and whose economy is rapidly changing. However, those who have a grip on every stage of TOGG from its initial idea to its production were also disturbed by the cars gifted to the leaders. We have witnessed such dire reactions that you can’t help but look for someone who can’t take their revenge and call a G20 member country backward? You can look for those who criticize the complimentary statements made about Turkey? You can look for those who are unaware of the support given to the national struggle by Indian Muslims and who are talking nonsense and telling lies? All the busybodies who cannot present a vision for the country and the people, target TOGG and our Southeast Asia trip.

GOOD NEWS OF A CAR FACTORY IN SAMSUN

However, anyone who eats the bread, drinks the water and breathes the air of this country would be expected to be proud of this visit, let alone be disturbed. In no other country in the world does the opposition criticize the government over photographs that flatter national pride. But unfortunately, there is no such opposition in our country. We have an incorrigible and destructive opposition mentality. What is this, our test as a country and nation? There is no production line, no factory, and more than 52 thousand of TOGG, which they call TOGG, are currently on the roads. Hopefully, the sedan model will also be launched in the summer months. In addition to TOGG, investments by foreign brands continue. Serious progress has been made in the works for the electric vehicle production facility and research and development center to be established in Manisa by the Chinese company BYD with an investment of 1 billion dollars . When we consider that more than 17 million electric vehicles will be sold in the world in 2024, the importance of these investments will be seen more clearly. We are not stopping there. Another Chinese company is also making an investment in Samsun right now. It has also completed its preparations. We will see the foundation of this brand being laid in Samsun in a very short time. We will continue to work with determination to make Turkey the focus of high technology investments. The reform program for Turkey's 100th year, which we announced yesterday at our party's 8th regular grand congress, was prepared meticulously, in great detail, without skipping any topic.

'WE WILL TAKE TURKEY TO THE LEAGUE OF HIGH INCOME COUNTRIES'

Our reform program will hopefully provide our country with a different horizon in advanced technology investments. With the reform program we have built on 5 basic pillars, namely economic transformation, green and digital transformation, social policies, judiciary and fundamental rights, and political and administrative regulations, we will take Turkey, which is in the upper middle income group, to the High Income Countries League.

In today's cabinet meeting, we discussed the 2030 industry and technology strategy that will strengthen our country's independence in industrial production and technology. We also evaluated the projects with a budget of 7 billion dollars that will be implemented in the fields of mobility, petrochemicals, defense and solar energy technologies with the support we provide. We are also on the right track in the field of industry and technology. Hopefully, we will achieve our goals here as well.

UKRAINE - RUSSIA WAR

Dear friends, we completed our party’s congress marathon that started on October 12 yesterday. We conducted an exemplary congress process that brought prestige to Turkish democracy. God willing, we will focus more on foreign reception and international contacts from now on. As you know, last week we hosted Ukrainian President Mr. Zelenskyi in our country. Today, we also received Russian Federation Foreign Minister Mr. Lavrov. We find these visits very important at a time when diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine War are intensifying. We have always strived to establish peace since the first day of the conflict with the motto that there will be no winners in war and no losers in peace.

'WE PREVENTED THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS'

We have developed balanced relations with both neighboring countries without falling into the trap that the opposition wants to pull us into. In the days when almost everyone was adding fuel to the fire, we hosted direct negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul in March 2022. As a result of the contacts we made with the parties, we implemented the Black Sea grain initiative. We ensured that a total of 33 thousand tons of grain reached world markets through the Turkish Straits. Thus, we prevented a global food crisis.

'WE WILL DO OUR BEST FOR A PERMANENT AND FAIR PEACE'

Now we see that a new equation is being established. We welcome the will of the American President Mr. Trump to end the war through negotiations in principle. The approach of ending the war at the negotiation table also coincides with the policy Turkey has been following for the last 4 years. However, the following fact should not be fabricated here. The path to a just and lasting peace can only be opened with an equation in which all relevant parties are represented. Except for the Istanbul process, Russia has been excluded from the tables that have been attempted to be established so far. Therefore, the desired result has not been achieved. If results are to be obtained from the new process, Ukraine must definitely be included in the process and this war must be ended through mutual negotiations. I have expressed our fair stance on this issue to both Mr. Zelenskyi, French President Mr. Macron, whom I spoke to on the phone yesterday, and Mr. Lavrov today. We are ready to provide all kinds of support, including hosting the talks, for the process to be a permanent peace. Our region has had enough of blood, tears and conflict. We want this war, which has cost the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and made both countries pay a heavy price, to end now. As a state that has earned the trust of both countries with its balanced attitude, we will do our best for a permanent and just peace. Again, during this process, we will not compromise on issues such as our Gazan brothers living in peace in their own lands, Lebanon's security and the protection of Syria's territorial integrity, and we will follow the developments there and stand by our brothers with all our means. We will continue to strive for peace and solidarity, just as we did yesterday or tomorrow, for just defense, as befits the greatness of our country.

My dear nation, valuable members of the press, We are filled with excitement, hope and happiness as we approach the month of mercy, forgiveness and abundance, the month of Ramadan, and God willing, to reach the sultan of 11 months. We will begin the blessed Ramadan by performing our first tarawih next Friday, and having our first sahur and iftar on Saturday. I pray that the month of Ramadan will bring goodness to our country, our nation, the Islamic world and humanity. I congratulate each and every individual of the 85 million in advance on the occasion of the holy Ramadan. I also wish a blessed Ramadan to our 7 million citizens living abroad, our brothers and sisters all around our heart and cultural geography, and all our friends in different corners of the world who have pinned their hopes on our country.

'WE WILL NOT LET THE OPPORTUNISTS BREATH'

We are taking and will take all necessary measures to ensure that our citizens are not victimized by those who are after opportunism and are greedy for money before Ramadan. Our Ministries of Trade, Agriculture and Finance are working hard to ensure that the greedy do not cast a shadow on our nation's Ramadan joy. As a state, we are doing and will do our inspection duty in the best way possible. However, we all know very well that Ramadan opportunism is not an economic issue but rather a serious moral and conscience issue. One of the reasons for the high cost of living, which is the most basic complaint of our citizens, is again these greedy opportunists.

These opportunists who have not benefited from our ancient Ahi culture are doing the greatest harm to our companies that earn their money lawfully. When there is a fire, we use fire extinguishers, when there is an earthquake, we use iron and cement, when the weather is a little dry, we use water. When it snows for a day or two, we will not let these opportunists who increase the prices of vegetables and fruits and who hurt the bread of the citizens on holy days breathe a sigh of relief with the support of our nation. Protecting the rights and laws of our citizens is our priority. I have stated it before. I see it useful to reiterate it today due to its importance. Free market does not mean disorder. We will continue to take the necessary legal and administrative steps against those who perceive the free market as irregularity with our ministries, the capital markets board, the competition authority and the tax inspection board. My dear brothers, on this occasion, we bid farewell to our teacher, Master Hasan Çelebi, one of the most important calligraphers of this era. May God make his grave full of light and his place high, God willing.