Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered reporters’ questions after performing Friday prayer in Istanbul.

Answering reporters’ questions in Istanbul, Erdoğan, on the ceasefire in Libya, said: “The ceasefire agreement that has been signed is not a ceasefire at the highest level. Time will show how lasting it will be at lower levels.”

Ceasefire in Libya

In answer to a question about the signing of an agreement in Libya, Erdoğan said: “The ceasefire agreement that has been signed is not a ceasefire at the highest level. Time will show how lasting it will be at lower levels.”

Developments in Azerbaijan

Answering a question about President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev’s proposal that Turkey should be one of the Minsk Group co-chairs, Erdoğan stated that it is impossible to ignore President Aliyev’s remarks.

Stressing that Turkey has the right to take part in the group for peace just as much as Russia does given Ankara’s OSCE membership, Erdoğan stated: “The Minsk Group couldn’t yield any result thus far. Azerbaijan is making its rightful demand and saying that If Armenia proposes Russia, we propose Turkey and that Turkey, therefore, should also take part in border security and peace negotiations together with Russia.”

Underlining that Russia hasn’t displayed a negative attitude and hasn’t made any negative remarks on this issue, Erdoğan said that Turkey and Russia have so far acted jointly regarding the issues of Azerbaijan-Armenia, Syria and Libya, and added: “I hope we will take successful steps in the future as well for a solution in Syria and Libya as well as on the Azerbaijan-Armenia issue and achieve a settlement in these matters.”

“We have purchased many weapons from the U.S., and carry out their testings, too”

Concerning the S-400s, Erdoğan stated that they have been tested and that the U.S. stance on this issue is not binding for Turkey.

“What are we supposed to test if not these capabilities in our hands?” asked the President. Noting that Turkey has purchased many weapons from the U.S. as well and carries out their testing, Erdoğan pointed out that Greece also tests and uses the S-300s but that the U.S. doesn’t react to it as it does to Turkey, and he added: “We are determined. We will continue on our path.” (ILKHA)