“STATISTICS ARE PROMISING ON THE EMPLOYMENT SIDE”

Stating that Türkiye will host many large and small organizations and that high-level guests from all over the world will be hosted, President Erdoğan said that he believes that international events will also contribute to the rise of Turkish tourism, and that the statistics are promising not only in exports and tourism, but also on the employment side.

Erdoğan reminded that the unemployment rate decreased by 0.3 points compared to the previous month and decreased to 8.1 percent, and noted that the number of employment increased by 226 thousand people in the same period, reaching 32 million 425 thousand people, and the employment rate increased by 0.3 points to 48.5 percent.

Stating that the number of workforce increased by 129 thousand people in March compared to the previous month, reaching 35 million 298 thousand people, and that the labor force participation rate increased by 0.1 point to 52.8 percent, Erdoğan pointed out that the unemployment rate maintained its single-digit course in the 35th month.

President Erdoğan also stated that they are carefully following the increase in the rate of idle labor and emphasized that despite this positive picture in exports, employment and tourism, inflation is one of the areas where the effects of the war are felt the most.

Reminding that the inflation rate for April was announced as 4.18 percent today, Erdoğan said that fuel prices, which are still very high, put heavy pressure on inflation in Türkiye, as in the world.

Erdoğan said, “Even though we are walking against the wind in the global atmosphere in the fight against inflation, there is not the slightest regression in our will. We are determined to move forward with firm steps on the path we know is right, without succumbing to pessimism or listening to the doomsayers.” he said.

“Türkiye WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE NEGOTIATION TABLE DUE TO POLITICAL MOTIONS”

Stating that they have recently witnessed some damaging discussions triggered by European actors regarding Türkiye’s position in Europe, President Erdoğan said:

“By using these discussions as an opportunity, I find it useful to remind some basic facts about our country’s journey to the European Union. Turkey applied for partnership with the European Union, which was then called the European Economic Community, on July 31, 1959, 19 months after its establishment. The Ankara Agreement, which forms the legal basis of the relations between Turkey and the European Union, was signed in 1963. The partnership agreement, whose ultimate goal is Türkiye’s full membership in the community, consists of three separate periods, namely the preparatory period, the transition period and the final period, which are the continuation of each other. “With the entry into force of the Ankara Agreement on December 1, 1964, the first phase, that is, the preparation period, began.”

Erdoğan reminded that the Addition Protocol was signed on November 13, 1970, and the first step towards the transition period was taken with the implementation of this document 3 years later.

Stating that the disputes arising from the Cyprus case blocked Türkiye’s path to the European Union in the following period, Erdoğan said, “This is quite remarkable. Look, our neighbor Greece at that time was accepted to the European Union in a very short time in 1981, to which it applied for membership in 1975. Turkey, on the other hand, was pushed off the negotiation table for purely political reasons. With the September 12 coup, in which our democracy was seriously damaged, our relations with the European Union were officially suspended.” “In the following years, our relations with the Union gained momentum again with the restoration of civilian power and the initiative of the late Turgut Özal.” he said.

“WE FULFILLED RESPONSIBILITIES DURING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS”

President Erdoğan reminded that the application for full membership to the Union was made on April 14, 1987 and that, in the words of the late Özal, “a long and narrow road” was started, and that the commission that evaluated the application stated in its response 2.5 years later that “Although Türkiye is qualified to join the community, it will not accept new members without ensuring the internal integration of the community.”

Explaining that the transition period was completed and the final period was started with the Customs Union between Türkiye and the European Union, which came into force on January 1, 1996, Erdoğan said that the problems encountered began to reoccur after a short time.

President Erdoğan continued his words as follows:

“So much so that while candidate status was given to 12 countries at the Luxembourg Summit held in 1997, Turkey was once again ignored. Finally, at the summit of heads of state and government held in Helsinki in 1999, Türkiye’s candidacy was approved by the council and it was decided to prepare the accession partnership document. After taking over the task of governing the country on November 3, 2002, we brought a new breath to all these activities. Within a two-year period, 8 harmonization packages were passed by the Parliament. In the same period, we made changes to 218 articles of 53 laws. Again, in 2001 and 2004, the European Union, which made the biggest expansion move in its history, accepted 10 more countries, including the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, as members. As Turkey, we tolerated all these wrong and unfair decisions and continued on our way. “We fully fulfilled our responsibilities during the negotiation process that started in 2005 and its continuation. We announced our 9th reform package between 2006 and 2010. Only one chapter was opened between 2010 and 2013. The positive agenda that was put into effect in 2012 lasted only 2 years.”

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN GAVE THE GOOD GOOD

Reminding that they support young people who want to establish a home with the Family and Youth Fund with an amount between 200-250 thousand liras, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said:

“We provided convenience for our young people who benefited from the loan and had children during the maturity period. We decided to donate the 12-month installment of couples who had their first child within the repayment period and postpone the remaining installments for 12 months. Now we are taking this one step further. If the second child is born within the repayment period, we will donate the entire remaining installments. I wish good luck to our young couples and hope that the decisions in our Cabinet Meeting will be beneficial.”

LOAN OPPORTUNITY WITH 48 MONTHS TERM AND 2 YEARS NON-REPAYMENT

Minister Göktaş, who recently announced that they updated the loan amount in January so that more young couples can benefit from the fund, said, “We provide 250 thousand lira support if both couples applying to the fund are between the ages of 18-25, and 200 thousand lira if they are between the ages of 26-29. We provide loan support to couples whose applications are approved, with a maturity of 48 months and a grace period of 2 years.”

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar made important statements about the agenda in a television program he attended.

Explaining that the energy crisis in the world is global, Minister Bayraktar said, “The world is facing major crises. We must be on alert at all times and be prepared for uncertainties. Markets are waiting for positive news. The Russia-Ukraine crisis has completed four years. The process that started in Iran, the uncertainties may continue for a longer time. I hope the region does not get used to this new normal. Turkey does not have any problems in terms of energy.”

“WE WILL UNDERTAKE THE BILL BURDEN”

Minister Bayraktar explained that if the global energy crisis continues until the end of the year, citizens will bear the 1.5 trillion lira electricity, natural gas and fuel bill burden.

THE OPPOSITION CALLED THE BLUE COUNTRY A “FAIRY TALE”

Explaining that Türkiye increased its moves for independence in energy after 2016, Bayraktar said, “In the new process we started after 2016, there is a Turkey that searches for oil in its own seas with its own ships. The strategy that there will be no place where Türkiye does not go and does not drill led us to the discovery in Gabar and the production of 81 thousand barrels. We put forward the goal of ending foreign dependence. When we look at the opposition, they call the Blue Homeland a ‘fairy tale’. ‘What will we do with the ships? There are those who say ‘let’s rent it’. This is Türkiye’s common interest, we need to continue strengthening it.
Having our own ship means ‘We are present in the Mediterranean’. Türkiye continued its search with determination and made discoveries in the middle of the pandemic. “With our developing capabilities, today we have become a country that can explore for oil in Somalia,” he said.

Cullen, who joined the Global Sumud Flotilla from Spain to Gaza, made a statement to the AA correspondent and thanked the Turkish people on behalf of the Irish people for his journey to break the blockade of Gaza and continue humanitarian aid activities.

Cullen, an Irish high school teacher and poet, said, “Thanks to this mission, I now have many Turkish friends. In my country, Ireland, when we had a famine imposed by Britain in the 1840s, Turkey (Ottoman) sent us food and helped us. The Irish people still remember this. Now, me and my Turkish brothers and my comrades are going to Gaza, where the famine was imposed. This is history repeating itself, the completion of the cycle, and this is humanity.” he said.

Cullen pointed out that he has been involved in the Palestine solidarity movement for more than 12 years, and said that Ireland’s anti-imperialism and anti-colonial struggle has similarities with Gaza, and that he can see the connection between the struggles in Irish history and the struggle of the Palestinian people.

“EUROPE CANNOT PROTECT ITS OWN CITIZENS IN ITS OWN WATERS”

Referring to Israel’s interventions in international waters during the fleet’s journey, Cullen said, “Israel’s kidnapping of citizens in European waters is a clear violation of international law. A Europe that cannot even protect its own citizens’ right to travel freely is complicit in this genocide.” made his assessment.

Cullen pointed out that they were monitored by unmanned aerial vehicles and military planes since they left Sicily, and described the moment of intervention off the coast of Greece as follows:

“We saw the giant searchlights of the Israeli warship and the movement of small attack boats. The red lasers of the guns were pointed at our comrades. At first we wanted to believe that it was the Greek authorities, we did not guess that Israel could act so recklessly in European waters, so far from occupied Palestine.”

“WE RECEIVE NEWS OF TORTURE BUT WE DO NOT GIVE UP”

Stating that he is very concerned about his friends who were detained and beaten, Cullen said, “There are reports that some of our comrades were severely beaten and tortured. We know that one of our friends has 6 broken ribs. Israel is a cruel state, but we are determined. What will be done to us is only a small part of what Palestinians experience every day.” he said.

Irish activist Cullen called on the whole world to boycott Israel and put pressure on governments, saying:

“Billions of people who want peace and justice in the world can stand against a handful of violent tyrants. I call out to the people living in Türkiye, Ireland, France and Spain, do not leave your governments alone. If we put enough pressure, they will be forced to take action. Just as was done with the apartheid regime in South Africa, we must isolate Israel and bring those responsible for this genocide to the war crimes court in The Hague.”

‘I’M A COMPLAINER’

Sezgin Köysüren, who attended the hearing as the victim of the crime but was detained within the scope of an investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, said, “I am doing construction in Güneş District. We could not get a building permit, I built 5 parcels for the municipality and bought 3 parcels for myself. There was a disruption in my work. Mr. Serkan wanted 5 of the 6 shops to Muhittin Böcek and 1 for himself. Regarding the payment on the invoice before the 2024 election, 500 thousand. I paid in lira. Mr. Serkan called and said, ‘We need to support him and not leave him alone.’

‘I PAID 475 THOUSAND LIRA, I AM COMPLAINING’

Sezgin Köysüren, who attended the hearing as the victim of the crime but was detained within the scope of an investigation carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, said, “I am doing construction in Güneş District. We could not get a building permit, I built 5 parcels for the municipality and bought 3 parcels for myself. There was a disruption in my work. Mr. Serkan wanted 5 of the 6 shops to Muhittin Böcek and 1 for himself. Regarding the payment on the invoice before the 2024 election, 500 thousand. “I paid lira. Mr. Serkan called and said, ‘We need to support him and not leave him alone.’ I paid 475 thousand lira. I am complaining.”

‘I HAD TO DO EVERYTHING OUT OF FEAR’

The victim, Berkan G., who testified within the scope of taking money from Muhittin Böcek’s girlfriend Melek K. with a luxury brand watch and was damaged by the crime, said, “We were running beaches. At the same time, we were doing asphalt at ASAT and we had progress payments. Serkan T. came to us one day and said, “If you want to get your money easily, you have to do what I say.” We went through a difficult process; if they did not give us what we were owed, we would have problems with our payments. First there was a request for a watch. We took it upon his insistence. So I had to do everything out of fear. Payments were missing to us. “We were also having difficulty paying salaries,” he said.

‘THEY WANTED A FREE FLAT FOR SETTLEMENT’

Hakan I., who defended the claim that 1 flat was purchased free of charge in order to complete the settlement and license procedures of the site in Konyaaltı district, through Tuncay S., who worked as deputy mayor during the period when Muhittin Böcek served as the Mayor of Konyaaltı, said, “We said that we would get a settlement from Konyaaltı Municipality. We were directed to Tuncay S.. We completed our transactions and started waiting. Tuncay said ‘We will handle the issue’ and sent us away. 6-7 days later Months passed. When we met again, he said that we should give our 1 flat free of charge and that the settlement issue would be resolved. We gave the flat to İsmail E. We knew that this flat would go to Muhittin Böcek. A corner flat on the front side, a 4+1 flat, was requested. We accepted what they said so that our work would not be delayed. We even paid 450 thousand euros more to the beneficiaries because we delivered the houses we built late. he said.

‘IF WE HAD NOT GIVEN FLAT, WE WOULD NOT GET RESIDENCE’

Mehmet Akif K., who is a partner with Hakan I. and a victim of the same crime, said, “We went to the door of the municipality for 7-8 months and came. Tuncay S. said that our residence permit would be given, but a flat was requested. He handed over İsmail E.’s ID. A 4+1 flat on the front line was requested. We gave the flat. İsmail E. said that he was the custodian of the flats. He also stated that this flat was requested for Muhittin Böcek. If the flat was requested, “We were told by Tuncay S. that we would not be able to get a permit if we did not give it. This happened when Muhittin Böcek was the Mayor of Konyaaltı. We usually met with Böcek in social environments,” he said.

‘IF THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN 10 YEARS, WHY DID THEY DON’T FILE A COMPLAINT?’

Muhittin Böcek, who asked Mehmet Akif K. why they did not complain about the housing issue, said, “The legal process regarding this place continued as Konyaaltı and Metropolitan Municipality. If they have been victims for 10 years, why did they not file a complaint? Hakan I. friend was a council member candidate from the AK Party. We were doing politics. They broke down our door. They could have expressed their complaints.”

The group, which participated in the East-West Friendship and Silk Road Rally, which started in Germany on April 27 with the contributions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union Directorate, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency and TÜVTÜRK, arrived in Ankara. President Erdoğan met with rallygoers waiting for him in their vehicles on the street in front of the main building of the Presidential Complex.

President Erdoğan, who received information about the route from Nadir Serin, President of the East-West Friendship and Peace Rally Association, took a souvenir photo with the athletes participating in the rally in front of the July 15 Martyrs’ Monument and the rally vehicles. President Erdoğan, who gave toys and pocket money to the children of the families in the rally group, started the Ankara stage of the rally and bid farewell to the group participating in the rally.

Minister of Youth and Sports Osman Aşkın Bak, Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, Presidential Foreign Policy and Security Chief Advisor Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Presidential Private Secretary Hasan Doğan also attended the program.

19 THOUSAND KILOMETERS WILL BE COVERED

The Turkey leg of the organization, which started in Germany on April 27, will continue in Istanbul, followed by Ankara, followed by Ihlara Valley in Cappadocia, Nemrut Mountain in Adıyaman, Ahlat district in Bitlis, Palandöken Mountain in Erzurum and Ani Ruins in Kars. After the Türkiye stage, the rally will proceed through Iran and Turkmenistan and follow the Central Asian route. At the end of approximately 1.5 months, the rally will cover 19 thousand kilometers and end in Nepal, at an altitude of approximately 7 thousand meters.