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"Türkiye is making a name for itself with its economic, military, diplomatic and intelligence achievements"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

10.01.2024

Speaking on the National Intelligence Organization's 97th foundation anniversary, President Erdoğan said: "While we are surrounded by a circle of fire, we are endeavoring both to develop our country and to ensure the security of our state. Amid increasing uncertainty, our country is making a distinguished name for itself with its economic, military, diplomatic and intelligence achievements."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech on the occasion of the National Intelligence Organization's (MİT) 97th foundation anniversary at the agency's headquarters, "Kale" (the Fortress).

Congratulating the 97th anniversary of the establishment of the National Intelligence Organization, President Erdoğan expressed his gratitude to all those who have contributed to the organization since its establishment, to all members of the organization and to all the unsung heroes.

"WE ARE ENDEAVORING BOTH TO DEVELOP OUR COUNTRY AND TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF OUR STATE"

"In the past 21 years, we have lived through some really critical days of life and death. We have overcome many adversities, sustained many attacks, overcome many difficulties and obstacles. In this process, I have personally witnessed not only the efforts, courage and patriotism of our MİT members, but also their high sense of duty, intellectual knowledge and analytical skills. We worked shoulder to shoulder with many of our brothers and sisters who would gladly give their lives for their state without a second thought. Therefore, I personally know very well how the secret heroes of our National Intelligence Organization perform their duties with great devotion. I would like to congratulate our members of the National Intelligence Organization who sometimes sacrifice their families, sometimes their loved ones, sometimes their health. May our Lord protect each and every single one of you," President Erdoğan said.

Pointing out that Türkiye is located in a region that is at the center of global power competition economically, politically and militarily, President Erdoğan stated that most of the crises that occupy the agenda of humanity take place in Türkiye's immediate vicinity. "While we are surrounded by a circle of fire, we are endeavoring both to develop our country and to ensure the security of our state. Amid increasing uncertainty, our country is making a distinguished name for itself with its economic, military, diplomatic and intelligence achievements."

"WE COURAGEOUSLY DEFEND THE INTERESTS OF OUR NATION"

Stating that Türkiye is strengthening its position as an "influential power" as a playmaker on the global chessboard day by day and that this fact has been accepted by almost everyone at the current stage, President Erdoğan said: "Our ambition for a strong Türkiye at the table and on the field is now becoming a reality with all its elements."

"Contrary to the claims of some, there has not been an axis shift in our country, on the contrary, after a long search, our country has found its true axis. The name of this axis is the axis of Türkiye. We do not act with the concern of 'what others would say', as was the case in the past. Every decision we take in domestic and foreign politics, every policy we implement is completely Türkiye-oriented. Whatever the interests of our nation require, whatever Türkiye needs, we seek to do it regardless of who says what. With the right steps at the right time, we courageously defend the interests of our nation both in diplomacy and in the field of military," President Erdoğan said.

"TÜRKİYE STARTED INVESTING IN ITS DEFENSE CAPACITY VERY EARLY"

Noting that with the Russia-Ukraine war, the plates in the world have shifted, President Erdoğan said: "In this new era, geopolitics has begun to stand out. In this process, we also see radical changes in security concepts. For example, states that considered defense expenditures a waste and a burden on the public budget up until 5-10 years ago have entered into an arms race in the last year or two. Those who, until yesterday, talked about narrowing the scope of duties of security units, today grant unlimited powers to security institutions. The number of security and military cooperation agreements signed between countries is increasing day by day. Türkiye, thankfully, is one of the countries that foresaw these risks very early and started investing in its defense capacity very early."

"All those who criticized us in the past now admire our country. Today, our moves in defense industry, of which UAVs and UCAVs are the symbols, are followed with admiration all over the world," President Erdoğan said.

"WE BROKE THE RECORD OF OUR REPUBLICAN HISTORY BY EXPORTING DEFENSE PRODUCTS, WORTH $5.5 BILLION"

"The defense industry, which was once 80 percent dependent on foreign imports, has today become the export item with the highest added value for our country. In 2023, we broke the record of our Republican history by exporting defense products, worth $5.5 billion. ANKA III, our unmanned combat aircraft, successfully completed its maiden flight. The tests of KIZILELMA, which will have a multiplier effect in this field, are underway," President Erdoğan said.

"As the indigenous-national product range of our defense industry expands, the means, capacities and capabilities of our Army and Security Forces, as well as the National Intelligence Organization, grow stronger," President Erdoğan underlined. "We can clearly see its positive results, especially in our fight against terrorist organizations. The National Intelligence Organization is one of the leading institutions that use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles effectively. With its widespread network of sources and state-of-the-art technology, our National Intelligence Organization does not let terrorists take a sigh of relief."

"TÜRKİYE WILL NOT LET ANYONE GET AWAY WITH TREASON AND TERRORISM"

"With our precision intelligence operations in Syria and Iraq, we have made the so-called leadership of the PKK unable to leave their lairs," President Erdoğan said. "Many terrorists, including the so-called leadership council, executive council, military wing, intelligence, foreign relations and finance personnel of the terrorist organization, have been neutralized and are no longer a threat to our country. Almost every day, we receive news of a murderer, a scoundrel neutralized hundreds of kilometers away from our borders. We are holding the terrorists accountable for our martyrs, and we will continue to do so."

Noting that Türkiye also dealt heavy blows to DAESH, President Erdoğan said: "The so-called leader of DAESH, al-Qurayshi, was neutralized in his lair in Syria by MİT. Let me be crystal clear; the Republic of Türkiye may hold off, but it will not let anyone get away with treason and terrorism. From DAESH to FETO, from PKK to DHKP-C, we will not allow any illegal organization targeting our nation to survive. Whether they are inside or outside our borders, no matter where they run to, our state will always be breathing down the necks of terrorists. In particular, we are determined to pursue the FETO traitors who martyred our 253 citizens on the night of July 15. I want it to be known that there is absolutely no place for terror and terrorists in the Century of Türkiye."

"WE WILL NEVER TOLERATE THE FIFTH COLUMN ELEMENTS WHO TRY TO DISRUPT THE UNITY AND SOLIDARITY OF OUR NATION"

"Amid increasing asymmetric threats, it is of course unthinkable for Türkiye's security concept to remain the same. We are renewing and updating our country's national security concerns and revising the threat ranking according to the changing conditions," President Erdoğan said.

"In addition to terrorism and foreign espionage activities, new threats such as irregular migration, radicalization, organized crime, xenophobia and Islamophobia have recently entered the radar of our institution. We will never tolerate the fifth column elements who try to disrupt the unity and solidarity of our nation by hiding behind different masks. Until today, we have not allowed the fire of the conflicts in our neighborhood, from Syria to Iraq and Ukraine, to spread to our country. From the Gezi events to the October 6-8 incident, together we have fended off many attacks targeting our survival. We will never tolerate operations based on sect, origin and belief," President Erdoğan underlined.

"We need to be very vigilant against social media channels, which have become the hotbed of discord and hatred of our age. At a time of escalating tensions in our region, we can never stand by and watch these channels being used as a center for psychological operations against our country. We are a country that has paid the price of such provocations in the past. We cannot let the same pain be inflicted on our nation again," President Erdoğan said.

"We are aware that Türkiye 's upstanding and resilient stance in regional crises, especially the massacres in Gaza, disturbs some people, foils their plans. The recent intensification of espionage activities against our country is just one of the reflections of this discomfort. In the face of these, of course, we do not stand idle. Our National Intelligence Organization, with its operations that make us proud, shows the whole world that the actual situation is different. By uncovering Israel's espionage network in our country, our Organization has given a very clear answer to those who threaten us. This seriously surprised Israel. 'What happened, how did you round them up, caught them,' etc. Just wait; this is just the first step. You will get to know Türkiye."

"We also appreciate the intelligence diplomacy carried out by MİT behind the scenes in a wide range of areas to reduce tensions in our region. In the field of Foreign Intelligence, our Organization is carrying out successful activities ranging from contributing to other countries' fight against terrorism to hostage rescue, mediation and prisoner exchange. We proudly follow MİT's accomplishments in preventing cyber-attacks against state officials and critical institutions," President Erdoğan said.