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"ECO's stance is very important for the cessation of the bloodshed in Gaza"

Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey

09.11.2023

Addressing the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), President Erdoğan said: "The stance we as the Economic Cooperation Organization are to display is very important for the cessation of the bloodshed in Gaza. It is of utmost importance for us to raise our voices collectively to defend our Palestinian cause."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech at the 16th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent.

President Erdoğan said: "We are going through a period when we are confronted with major challenges at a global scale. The wounds caused by the coronavirus pandemic in global economy and trade have yet to be healed. Afterwards, we came face to face with the destructive consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, which erupted in our near geography. The inflation, triggered by the exorbitant hike in energy and food prices, reached the highest levels of the last six or seven decades, further aggravating the troubles. While we were seeking effective ways to cope with these existing difficulties, the conflicts that broke out on the Palestinian lands under occupation wounded our hearts further."

"WESTERN COUNTRIES JUST WATCH ISRAEL'S MASSACRES FROM A DISTANCE"

Noting that Israeli attacks on Gaza are in their 34th day, President Erdoğan stated: "Women and children account for 73 percent of the nearly 11 thousand Gazans brutally killed by Israel. The Israeli administration, fully supported by Western countries, continues to bomb schools, mosques, hospitals, universities and civilian settlements, infringing on all the values of humanity. We are faced with a fanaticism that legitimizes even the massacring of children."

President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: "Yet, the Western countries that always talk about human rights, freedoms and democracy just watch Israel's massacres from a distance. These countries and entities are incapable of calling for ceasefire, let alone criticize murderers of children. Those who turn a blind eye to the burning of our sacred book, the Holy Quran, under the excuse of freedom of thought cannot even tolerate the Palestinian flag. Many more instances can be counted attesting to the hypocrisy we have been witnessing since October 7. The developments remind us of the fact that we as Muslims have to strengthen our unity. We continue our diplomatic efforts to achieve humanitarian ceasefire and prevent the spread of the conflicts."

Drawing attention to Türkiye's ongoing efforts to dispatch humanitarian aid to the region, President Erdoğan further stressed: "To date, we have sent 10 aircraft carrying over 230 tons of humanitarian aid to El-Arish Airport with the assistance of our Egyptian brothers. Our preparations are underway to send two civilian humanitarian aid ships to the region. An international meeting will be held in Istanbul on November 15 with the participation of the spouses of the heads of state and government under the auspices of my wife, Emine Erdoğan. A strong solidarity will therefore be displayed to alleviate our Gazan brothers and sisters' suffering."

"IT IS OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE FOR US TO RAISE OUR VOICES COLLECTIVELY TO DEFEND OUR PALESTINIAN CAUSE"

"The stance we as the Economic Cooperation Organization are to display is very important for the cessation of the bloodshed in Gaza. It is of utmost importance for us to raise our voices collectively to defend our Palestinian cause," said the President, and added: "World leaders walked in Paris in solidarity after the killing of 25 people at the Charlie Hebdo attack. 11 thousand civilians including children and women have been killed in Gaza but the world remains silent. The U.S. and the West are all silent. Women and children... We are watching all this on televisions every day. If we as Muslims do not raise our voices today, when will we?"

"WE SHOULD BOOST OUR COOPERATION POTENTIAL"

Stressing that a more transparent and fairer international economic and financial system is needed more than ever now, President Erdoğan stated: "In the current conjecture, we as Türkiye continue our human-oriented efforts to address these shortcomings in the international economic system. With a population of 500 million and a total income of 1.5 trillion dollars, the Economic Cooperation Organization unquestionably holds an important position in this regard. On the other hand, it is striking that the trade between the ECO members stands at just 85 billion dollars. I believe that this number does not befit us. We should intensify our efforts to increase our trade volume to 100 billion dollars in the initial phase. We should boost our cooperation potential in areas from trade to energy, transport and environment. We should put into force the Economic Cooperation Organization Trade Agreement, which is one of the goals laid out in our 2025 Vision Document but still has yet to be implemented after 20 years. Rendering the Economic Cooperation Organization Trade and Investment Bank, the ECO BANK, which is located in Istanbul, more effective with all the members' participation will serve this goal."

Noting that cooperation should also be strengthened in the areas of tourism and travel, President Erdoğan stated that these issues were thoroughly addressed by tourism ministers during the meeting held in October.

Thanking the ECO countries for their support to the election of Erzurum as the ECO Tourism Capital for the year 2025, President Erdoğan noted: "I hereby invite you to Erzurum, the intersection of civilizations."

President Erdoğan said: "We significantly contribute to the energy supply security of our country and region through important energy infrastructure investments, particularly TANAP, that we have launched in recent years. We can play a bigger role in this area with the steps we can take together as the ECO member states. In line with the principle, union makes strength, it will be beneficial for us to increase our joint investments for cleaner initiatives such as renewable energy and hydrogen as well as for the development of new technologies in the energy sector."

Inviting all the member states to sign the Charter, already signed by Türkiye, of the ECO Clean Energy Center, slated to be established in Baku, President Erdoğan stressed that everyone should do their part in the face of global issues that have become a global threat, and added: In this spirit, we, under the leadership of my wife, Emine Erdoğan, launched the Zero Waste project in 2017. Within the scope of this project, which has turned into a global initiative under the roof of the United Nations, we held the 1st in-person meeting of the United Nations Secretary General's Advisory Board on Zero Waste in Türkiye on November 1. I am confident that your support will continue for this initiative."

"WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND BY ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THEIR DIFFICULT TIMES"

President Erdoğan went onto say: "The ongoing developments have made more visible the importance of the Trans-Caspian East-West Middle Corridor. We should continue to increase the efficacy of the Corridor, which benefits us all, in coordination. In the same understanding, we should close the ranks in the face of the challenges emerging across our common geography from Karabakh to Afghanistan. With the complete end of the occupation that lasted more than 30 years in Karabakh, we see that we are one step closer to permanent peace in our region. This process will be facilitated by Armenia's fulfilment of its responsibilities towards Azerbaijan. Establishing without delay the transportation lines that will connect Azerbaijan's western regions with Nakhchivan is of strategic importance. As the Economic Cooperation Organization, we should collaborate for the establishment of sustainable stability and security in Afghanistan, as well."

Noting that Türkiye continues its aid to the Afghan people recently hit by an earthquake in the Herat province, President Erdoğan stated: "Our first benevolence train carrying nearly 510 tons of aid supplies including food, medicine and clothing set out for Afghanistan on Tuesday. We will continue to stand by our brothers and sisters in their difficult times."

"I REITERATE MY CALL TO ESTABLISH AND DEVELOP RELATIONS WITH TURKISH CYPRIOTS IN ALL AREAS"

President Erdoğan concluded his remarks as follows: "The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, an observer member of the ECO, being represented at the summit by President Ersin Tatar is an important message in the face of the unfair practices our Turkish Cypriot brothers and sisters are subjected to. As members of the Economic Cooperation Organization, it is our collective responsibility to make the voices of Turkish Cypriots heard, who are unfairly oppressed and isolated through illegal practices. In this regard, I reiterate my call to establish and develop relations with Turkish Cypriots in all areas. I thank all my brothers and sisters who take steps in this direction. May Allah forever protect our unity, solidarity and cooperation!"