Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz attended the ‘Agriculture, Food and Industry-Oriented Development Vision Workshop in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia’ meeting held in the meeting hall of a hotel in Diyarbakır’s Yenişehir district. The program was also attended by Governor Murat Zorluoğlu, AK Party Diyarbakır MPs Mehmet Sait Yaz, Suna Kepolu Ataman and Mehmet Galip Ensarioğlu, Dicle University Rector Prof. Dr. Kamuran Eronat, AK Party Provincial Chairman Ömer İler, representatives of non-governmental organizations and many guests attended.

‘THE EAST AND SOUTHEAST HAD THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC LOSS’

Speaking after the reading of the National Anthem and the opening speeches, Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said, “In line with our goal of a terrorism-free Turkey, the strengthening environment of trust and stability in our Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions has opened the doors to a much stronger progress in every field from agriculture to industry, from investment to employment. The environment we have lived in over the past 40 years, terrorism and security issues have unfortunately produced great costs in terms of economic development as well as human losses. Some calculations we have made regarding direct and indirect economic costs show the following “This is the minimum figure, we are talking about a loss of at least 2 trillion dollars. Therefore, if these resources had not been wasted and used for the development of this region and our country in general, the Republic of Turkey would be at a much different point today. We need to think about this in the coming period. The region where the biggest loss was experienced and the biggest loss of development was in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia region. Of course, all of Turkey suffered losses, but the East and the Southeast suffered the biggest loss in terms of development and economy,” he said.

‘EASTERN AND SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA WILL WIN THE MOST’

Stating that the whole of Türkiye will win in the ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ process, Yılmaz said, “The whole of Turkey will win in a period when terrorism is off the agenda and the environment of peace and trust is permanently consolidated. Our 81 provinces and 86 million people will win, but Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia will win the most, and its development will gain momentum. The positive picture we see in the field today clearly shows that where the shadow of terrorism has receded, production is revitalized, cities are breathing, hopes are growing. What we have implemented is “I wholeheartedly believe that this process will be moved to a much further point in the coming period with the projects, the determined steps we have taken and the great opportunities our provinces have. We have not reached the point we have reached today by treating development as a one-dimensional issue. We act with a broad perspective, from increasing production capacity to strengthening human capital, from developing infrastructure to increasing competitiveness,” he said.

‘WE FOLLOW A STRATEGY OF DIVERSIFICATION IN LOGISTICS AND DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES

Stating that Türkiye has developed new logistics lines, Yılmaz said, “We frequently encounter crises, especially wars, in our geography. Therefore, Ukraine, Russia, Iran, the USA and Israel are recent examples of this. We are following a strategy of diversifying and developing alternatives in logistics by using the advantages of our geography. At this point, I see three critical logistics ahead of us. All three of them are actually related to the East-Southeast. The first is the Development Road Project. The recent events going down from Türkiye to the Middle East are how meaningful this project is.” It is not only a highway but also a route that should be discussed in terms of new energy routes. This is a work that will directly connect Türkiye with the Turkish Republics. We have reached a certain point in this regard. I see this as the third strategic transportation network. I think it would be beneficial to re-look at it in a modern framework. “It has opened a new logistics perspective for us in Syria with some of its projects. We definitely have to take a closer look at this,” he said.

‘WE WILL SEE MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT IN THE COMING PERIOD’

Referring to the tourism potential of Diyarbakır, Yılmaz stated that the potential will increase with the creation of a security environment and said, “Last year, more than 1 million tourists and visitors came to Diyarbakır. We all remember what the environment was like in the past. Today, thankfully, there is a very different atmosphere. This will be even better. I hope we will see more reflections of the security environment in the coming periods. It may not appear suddenly, but after passing a certain threshold, such as the boiling of water, these effects will emerge much more clearly. It is one of the areas where this emerges most rapidly. One of them is the tourism sector. Beyond this physical construction, we also need a mental transformation. I think tourism contributes significantly to this. These perceptions need to be transformed both in the minds of the people living in the region and throughout Türkiye. Therefore, this will take some time, but tourism contributes significantly to this.

‘THE STRENGTHENING THE PEACE AND TRUST ENVIRONMENT MEANS THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT’

Stating that all of Türkiye will win in an environment where terrorism is off the agenda, Yılmaz said:

“It is not possible for a region to develop and develop only with public investments. If public investments are one side of the business, the other side is private investments. When you realize both at the same time, you make a real economic move. You increase production, exports and employment. With this understanding, we made public investments on one side. On the other hand, we provided very serious incentives to this region. Now, state investments can continue in an environment of peace and security, even if there are some problems. It continues in a way. But the private sector is much more sensitive. Capital is sensitive. What we call the investment environment There is a concept: If the security environment in a region is not good and the perceptions are negative, the capital in that region moves to other regions and invests. Therefore, the strengthening of the peace and confidence environment means that we see more private investments here. We all live in this process and we support it. In an environment where terrorism is off the agenda and the environment of peace and security is strengthened. “We will win, and the living standards of our 86 million population in 81 provinces will rise. We believe this wholeheartedly. Therefore, I wholeheartedly believe that we must put aside the words of yesterday and take into account the current period and the future perspective, and that we should all fulfill our responsibilities in these processes and contribute positively to this, and move our country towards a much stronger future together with the public, private sector and civil society.” (DHA)

WITH PHOTO

Breaking news: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.

According to the statement made on the Presidential Communications Directorate’s NSocial account, the leaders discussed regional and global issues as well as Türkiye-France relations during the meeting.

Erdoğan emphasized that it would be beneficial to move the relations between the two countries further by evaluating cooperation opportunities in every field, especially in the defense industry.

‘The ceasefire process should not be sabotaged’

Pointing out that the process that started with the attacks on Iran had a negative impact on the whole world, Erdoğan stated that the diplomatic efforts supported by Türkiye together with the relevant countries played an important role in the ceasefire process. Pointing to the attacks against Lebanon, Erdoğan noted that attempts that could sabotage the ceasefire process should not be given an opportunity and that Türkiye will continue to contribute to this process as much as it can.

Stating that it is important to launch the second phase of the peace plan in Gaza, Erdogan pointed out that the momentum gained in this regard should not be lost.

During the meeting, the leaders also discussed in detail the issues of ensuring freedom of navigation in Hormuz on the basis of international law, developments in Syria, supporting the peace process in the Caucasus, the search for permanent peace between Ukraine and Russia, and reviving negotiations.

The number of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye, which was 3 million 737 thousand 369 in 2021, decreased by 38.5 percent to 2 million 296 thousand 568. Safe zones provided across the border within the scope of the policies implemented accelerated returns. Minister of Internal Affairs Mustafa Çiftçi said, “In line with the instructions and strong will of our esteemed President, we are taking steps carefully and determinedly that will contribute to our Syrian brothers living in peace and security on their own land. We support the ongoing efforts for revival, reconstruction and normalization of life. This allows the voluntary repatriation process to proceed on a healthier basis. In the coordination of our police and gendarmerie units, our work to update the records and carry out the process in an orderly manner is carried out meticulously. Our main goal is to ensure that this process is voluntary, “It is to be completed in a safe, orderly and human dignity-centered manner,” he said. Of the population under temporary protection, 1 million 183 thousand 799 were men and 1 million 112 thousand 769 were women. When looking at age groups, it was determined that the largest segment consisted of adults between the ages of 18-64, with 1 million 169 thousand 694 people. When we look at the distribution of Syrians under temporary protection by province, Istanbul is the city with the highest density of 405 thousand 16 people. Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa followed Istanbul, respectively. The province with the lowest number of registered people was Hakkari with 8 people.

Rector of the National Defense University Prof. Dr. Afyoncu made a presentation titled “Turks” within the scope of the “Rectors Conferences” program organized by Kyrgyzstan Türkiye Manas University (KTMU). Providing a comprehensive analysis ranging from the depths of Turkish history to modern defense technologies, Afyoncu said, “Turks became a nation that changed the way of war and turned it into a new war concept with the armed unmanned aerial vehicles they built and used. The course of the history of war changed with armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAVs), we were the first to use them.”

“Turkish UCAVs are the new version of the whistling arrows used by Mete and Fatih’s cannons,” he said. Expressing his satisfaction with the increasing population and strengthening structure of the Turkish world, Afyoncu stated that the Turks rule the world today with 7 independent Turkish states and a population of 250 million. Reminding that the Kyrgyz name is the oldest living Turkish tribe, Afyoncu added that the development and population increase of the Turkish states is promising for the entire region.

There was a simultaneous reaction across Türkiye to Zionist Israel’s systematic oppression of Muslims in Palestine. After the Friday prayer, the Palestine Support Platform condemned the death sentences against Palestinians and demanded that they be stopped.

The address of the meeting in Istanbul was Bağcılar Square. After the Friday prayer, despite the heavy rain, conscientious people filled the front of the Meydan Mosque to take a common stand against Israel’s death sentence and reacted against genocidal policies with the posters and slogans they carried in their hands. Photos representing a gallows and the coffins of babies and children murdered by Israel were placed on the platform set up in the area. After the press release was read, representatives of various non-governmental associations supported the protest action with photographs in their hands.

Palestine Support Platform President Osman Kabaktepe said, “The crowds gathered not only in Istanbul, but also in central squares all over the country, simultaneously declared to the whole world that they will not remain silent against this heavy oppression that goes beyond borders. They turned this geography into a bloodbath. We will strive for peace and justice again. They murdered women and children in the name of democracy. We will continue to stand against occupation and oppression together. No digital shenanigans can deceive us. Our 70 thousand people, “You will be held accountable for the deaths of babies and mothers. We thank everyone who took an honorable stand against this oppression. As said in the Friday sermon, we will continue to support Gaza with our hands, our tongues and our prayers.”

A protest was held in the capital Ankara against the Israeli Parliament’s decision to execute Palestinian prisoners. The address of the action was the courtyard of Hacı Bayram-ı Veli Mosque. Stating that the legalization of the execution of Palestinian prisoners by passing the Israeli Parliament is no different from genocide, Muhammed Cihad Çiğdem, Member of the Board of Directors of the Support Platform for Palestine, said: “Unfortunately, humanity has been held hostage by a fierce and perverted ideology. We are not going to remain indifferent to this attempt at captivity. The Zionist regime should know that we will resist the oppressors with our lives, our heads, our hands, our resources, our strength. “While the devastating pain of the genocide committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza remains vivid in our conscience, the new atrocities committed in Lebanon and Iran are once again deeply shaking humanity,” he said. Palestine Support Platform took action in Zonguldak to react to Israel and support the Eurasian Sumud Flotilla.

In Izmir, members of the Palestine Support Platform protested Israel’s “execution law” targeting Palestinian prisoners and the genocide in Gaza. The group gathered in Konak Square after the Friday prayer and condemned Israel’s attacks in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

The address of the demonstrations in Eskişehir was in front of the Çarşı Mosque.

The participants, who came together in Diyarbakır in front of the Grand Mosque in the central Sur district under the leadership of the Palestine Support Platform and Diyarbakır Islamic Non-Governmental Organizations, chanted takbir and shouted anti-US and anti-Israeli slogans.

In Trabzon, citizens met in front of the İskender Pasha Mosque. Citizens called on the world community to take action to end the Zionist oppression in the region.

HUMANITY IS STANDING

In Balıkesir, NGO representatives came together after the Friday prayer at Zağnos Pasha Mosque. The event, in which statements of support for Palestine were made and Israel was cursed, ended with a prayer for the Palestinians. Speaking at the demonstration, which was also supported by AK Party Deputy Chairman Belgin Uygur, Uygur said, “The latest decision (death sentence) has once again hurt the conscience of humanity. There is racism and discrimination. There is lawlessness. Our support platform for Palestine will say stop to this oppression, as it has been for 2 and a half years.”

The investigation initiated by the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office after it was revealed that Aslıhan Aksoy, the girlfriend of CHP’s Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, was working as an ATM in Bornova Municipality, continues. The prosecutor’s office objected to the release of Bornova Mayor Ömer Eşki, Yalım’s beloved Aslıhan Aksoy, Bornova Municipality Personnel Inc. General Directorate Human Resources Manager Pervil Koç, and Bornova Municipality Press and Public Relations Deputy Director İlyas Aydınalp, who were detained on charges of “qualified fraud and forgery of official documents to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”. While the court rejected the prosecutor’s request, it imposed a travel ban on the suspects. On the other hand, it was determined that there were 8 more ATM employees in Bornova Municipality.

BANKAMATIC CONFESSION
SABAH reached the statements of the suspects. In her statement, Aslıhan Aksoy, who admitted that she was an ATM employee, said, “I got a job thanks to Özkan Yalım. I never went to work. Yalım said, ‘Don’t answer the phone, nothing will happen.’ My only crime was believing and trusting Özkan Yalım.

I was receiving psychological treatment. “I was not well,” he said. Mayor Eşki admitted in his statement that he hired Aslıhan Aksoy upon Özkan Yalım’s request. He admitted that Aksoy had received permission from her manager and then did not come to work. Deputy Press and Public Relations Manager İlyas Aydınalp said, “My staff said that he started working at the call center. Normally he did not have the right to leave, so he asked for permission to move. I had the salaries calculated for 5 months and 10 days. “I took out a loan and deposited 521 thousand 309 liras into the municipality’s account,” he said.