Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned that Türkiye will not stand idly by in the face of hostile moves aimed at encircling the country, stressing that Ankara seeks peaceful relations with all nations but will firmly oppose injustice, illegality and oppression wherever they occur.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made the remarks at a press conference following a meeting of the Presidential Cabinet at the Presidential Complex, where he addressed regional tensions, Türkiye’s foreign policy, relations with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the recent maritime disaster in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and the economic consequences of escalating conflicts in the region.

Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye’s calm and measured approach should not be mistaken for weakness or interpreted as a sign that Ankara would tolerate threats against its sovereignty.

“Let me openly note that our calm and mature stance shouldn’t let anyone indulge in different fantasies,” Erdoğan said. “We will not allow anyone to orchestrate an operation targeting our lands, which we made home for ourselves by the clatter of swords. Nor can we remain a bystander to the hostile steps in our region that are aimed at encircling our country.”

The Turkish president emphasized that Türkiye harbors no hostility toward any particular country, society, faith or culture.

“Türkiye doesn’t oppose any country, any society, any faith or any culture, and it is simply unthinkable for it to do so,” he said. “Yet, Türkiye also stands against any illegality, any injustice and any tyranny, no matter who it comes from, and it will continue to do so.”

‘No One Is Strong Enough to Change the Course of History’

Erdoğan said Türkiye’s fundamental objective is to continue its path as an independent, stable and prosperous state despite the difficult geopolitical environment in which it is located.

“I would like to reiterate that we don’t harbor animosity against anyone categorically,” he said. “We, quite the contrary, wish to continue our path as an independent, stable and prosperous state in the difficult geography we are located in. Never will we allow this to be hampered.”

He added that Türkiye’s growing influence and its efforts to promote peace and stability in the region would not be derailed by those seeking to contain the country.

“Those concerned by our country’s growing strength and its efforts for the establishment of peace and stability in the region cannot deter us,” Erdoğan said.

“Have no doubts whatsoever that no one is strong enough to change the course of history,” he added.

Erdoğan also underscored Türkiye’s determination to strengthen its historical, cultural and familial ties with peoples across the wider region.

“Türkiye will shake hands with its friends, get reunited with its relatives, and will once again band together with its brothers and sisters,” he said. “Those friendly to Türkiye will win and those harboring animosity to it will lose.”

Victory Day Marked Under the Shadow of a Tragic Accident

Erdoğan also spoke about the tragic maritime accident in the TRNC, saying that Türkiye’s August 30 Victory Day commemorations were overshadowed by the disaster.

A passenger ship traveling from Kyrenia to Taşucu capsized, leaving 14 people dead and another 14 missing, while 239 passengers survived, according to Erdoğan.

He said Türkiye was supporting the ongoing search-and-rescue operation in coordination with the TRNC authorities, deploying nine vessels and 11 aircraft.

“While 239 of our brothers and sisters survived the tragic accident in which a passenger ship travelling from Girne to Taşucu capsized, 14 others were unfortunately killed,” Erdoğan said.

“As 14 passengers are still missing, we are supporting the search and rescue efforts with 9 vessels and 11 aircraft in cooperation with the TRNC.”

Erdoğan said eight crew members, including the captain, had been taken into custody as part of an investigation launched by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

“The judicial process is being closely followed by our relevant official bodies,” he added.

Türkiye to Strengthen Cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Turning to Türkiye’s foreign policy, Erdoğan said Ankara would continue expanding its relations with countries and regional organizations around the world based on an approach that places Türkiye’s interests at the center.

“With its historical and cultural heritage, as well as its great financial and social potential, Türkiye is a country whose star is increasingly shining across the world,” he said.

Erdoğan noted that Türkiye’s historical and cultural ties extend across a vast geography, making it important to build stronger commercial and cultural connections with other societies.

He identified the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as one of the key regional organizations with which Türkiye has significantly expanded its engagement in recent years.

The SCO, of which Türkiye is a dialogue partner, represents a vast economic and demographic bloc, with approximately 4 billion people and an economy approaching $35 trillion, Erdoğan said.

Türkiye’s annual trade with SCO member states is already nearing $150 billion, he added, stressing that Ankara wants to increase this figure while creating a more balanced trade relationship.

Erdoğan said Türkiye reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the organization at the SCO leaders’ summit held in Bishkek on September 1.

“At the summit, we highlighted Türkiye’s importance to the SCO in terms of energy security and interconnectivity,” Erdoğan said.

He added that discussions also focused on the SCO’s role in promoting multipolarity as the international system undergoes a major transformation amid growing global challenges.

Erdoğan said he held meetings with several heads of state and government on the sidelines of the summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“We will continue to strengthen our ties with the SCO, which we view as complementary to the United Nations,” he said.

Erdoğan: ‘Everyone Is Paying the Price for the War’

Erdoğan also addressed the economic consequences of escalating regional tensions, particularly the impact of rising oil prices and the uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

“The rise in oil prices will apparently continue to strain everyone so long as the deadlock in the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved,” he said.

Erdoğan argued that the economic fallout from the conflict is being felt far beyond the countries directly involved.

“Not only the Iranian people, or not only the brotherly Gulf countries, but everyone, relevant or irrelevant, is paying the price for the war that began with Israel’s schemes and provocations,” he said.

He also accused Israel of undermining diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions, saying that what he described as Israeli “lies and sabotages” had contributed to the failure of the Islamabad agreement, which he said had offered hope of relief for the region.

Erdoğan warned that the region’s cycle of conflict and instability would continue unless the approach of those opposed to peace fundamentally changed.

“The spiral of crises in our region will not end so long as this radical mentality, which considers even the slightest possibility of peace to be a threat for itself, remains unchanged,” he said.

Despite the continuing geopolitical and economic challenges, Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye would remain committed to economic growth and development.

“Even though we make some adjustments to our targets under the light of these facts, we will continue to keep the Turkish economy on the path of development and growth,” he said. (ILKHA)