President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially opened the new Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Metro Line on Friday and used the occasion to reaffirm his government’s commitment to large-scale infrastructure projects in Türkiye’s largest city.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Erdoğan stressed that his administration will not allow Istanbul to be overwhelmed by chronic problems, particularly traffic congestion.

“We will continue to make the investments worthy of Istanbul, the apple of the world’s eye,” Erdoğan declared.

He framed the metro project as part of a broader duty to serve the city, stating: “Loving this city requires serving it with love. Valuing this city requires putting one stone upon another. Caring about this city requires concerning oneself with its problems and troubles.”

Erdoğan added: “We are determined not to leave Istanbul to its fate. We will not allow Istanbul to get overwhelmed by the tangle of problems, particularly traffic. No matter who says what, we are endeavoring to duly pay our debt of gratitude to Istanbul.”

The new metro line is expected to significantly ease transportation between central Istanbul and the city’s main international airport, forming a key part of the expanding urban rail network.

The President also highlighted Türkiye’s active international agenda, announcing that 2026 will be marked by numerous high-level global gatherings.

“Prior to it, the NATO Parliamentary Summit will take place in Istanbul on June 28-29. Afterwards, our country will host many international events throughout the year. In other words, 2026 will literally be a year of summits for Türkiye,” Erdoğan said.

He noted that Türkiye is preparing to host NATO leaders, including U.S. President Donald J. Trump, at the NATO Summit on July 7-8.Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s growing diplomatic stature, saying the country’s “brand value will increase,” positioning it as both a regional center of attraction and a key player in global diplomacy.

“First, Türkiye is not a pawn in regional crises but, as has been the case in the recent Iranian crisis, one of the primary actors in settlement efforts. Second, foreign policy is not a theater for performances, but a field of expertise. Third, we have never played to the gallery, either at home or abroad, and, quite the contrary, have always endeavored to win over hearts and minds,” he concluded.

The Halkalı-Istanbul Airport Metro Line opening is the latest in a series of major transport projects completed under Erdoğan’s government, which has prioritized infrastructure development across Türkiye. (ILKHA)