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.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy had a meeting with Barış Manço’s son Doğukan Manço at the Atatürk Cultural Center in order to pass on Barış Manço to future generations. According to the statement made by the Ministry, the importance of working to preserve cultural values ​​and transfer them to future generations was emphasized during the meeting. Ersoy noted that they exchanged views on the current situation of the museum-house in Moda, which hosts the life and production of the master artist.

At the meeting, where Barış Manço’s knowledge and cultural impact throughout his artistic life were discussed, topics aimed at preserving these values ​​and transferring them to future generations were evaluated. Sharing a post on his social media account regarding Doğukan Manço’s visit, Minister Ersoy said: “We met with Doğukan Manço at the Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center on the legacy of Barış Manço, who carries not only the voice but also the memory of an era.

We exchanged views about the current situation of the museum-house in Moda, which hosts the life and production of our artist. We attach importance to studies aimed at preserving such values ​​that nourish our cultural memory and transferring them to future generations. “On this occasion, I commemorate the late Barış Manço with respect and mercy, and thank Doğukan Manço for his kind visit,” 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.

In the statement made by the Ministry, it was stated that the number of Syrians who returned to their country from Türkiye voluntarily, safely and regularly since 2016 was 1 million 407 thousand 568, while according to the data of the Directorate of Migration Management, the number of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye was 2 million 280 thousand 542. It was recorded that voluntary returns after December 8, 2024 reached 667 thousand 565. According to the data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, it is estimated that a total of 1 million 630 thousand 874 Syrians have returned to their country throughout the region since the same date, while Turkey ranked first in the distribution by country with 639 thousand 995 people. In the statement, it was emphasized that the data in question covered different periods and that comparing them as if they belonged to the same time period was misleading to the public.

In the statement made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, following the news in some media regarding the return process of Syrians from Türkiye, the scope and periods of the data were shared in detail in order to eliminate the information pollution created in the public.

DIFFERENT PERIODS, DIFFERENT DATA

It was stated that the data announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mustafa Çiftçi, covers the total voluntary returns since 2016, and that the number of Syrians who have returned to their country voluntarily, safely, honorably and regularly since that date is 1 million 407 thousand 568. According to the current data of the Directorate of Immigration Management, it was recorded that the number of Syrians under temporary protection status in Türkiye is 2 million 280 thousand 542. It was also shared that the number of voluntary returns after December 8, 2024 was 667 thousand 565.

INTERNATIONAL DATA WAS ALSO SHARED

In the statement, which also included data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, it was stated that a total of 1 million 630 thousand 874 Syrians throughout the region are estimated to have returned to their country since December 8, 2024. While it was stated that Türkiye ranked first in the distribution by country with 639 thousand 995 people, it was emphasized that these data were obtained by analyzing border crossings, population movements reports and different data sources together.

“BEWARE OF MISLEADING COMPARISONS”

In the statement, it was pointed out that reporting data from different dates by comparing them as if they belonged to the same period could mislead the public. It was stated that such evaluations are far from reality and it was underlined that the data should be considered together with the time period to which it belongs.