WALL – Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said that there has been a “paradigmatic” change in relations with Asia regarding Turkey’s Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) contacts.
İbrahim Kalın also commented on Turkey-Syria relations, “There is currently no plan for political contact with Syria.”
Regarding the threat of sanctions against Turkish banks, Kalın said, “The allegations have no basis, the sanctions are not breached.”
Presidential Spokesperson Kalın, NTV He answered his questions about the agenda in his live broadcast.
The highlights of İbrahim Kalın’s statements are as follows:
WILL TURKEY BECOME A MEMBER OF SHANGHAI?
“There is a paradigmatic shift in our relations with Asia. While Turkey has fulfilled all its obligations for membership in the EU, the EU’s failure to open chapters creates a disqualification. We want the EU membership process to continue. Even if Turkey is not a member of the EU, it already continues its trade with European countries. and it will continue. The EU side needs to be in a constructive position. We do not want to be stuck in a choice point. EU membership is Turkey’s strategic choice.
RUSSIA’S PARTIAL MOBILIZATION DECISION
Our stance in Donetsk and Luhansk is the same as our stance on Crimea was before. We do not recognize the referendum that Russia wants to hold. Russia wants to bargain, to reorder the pieces. We continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We stand with Ukraine in this war. Turkey is the only country that strives to end the war. When the war started, our prediction was that the war would last for a long time. The current picture is that the war will continue.
THE ROLE OF TURKEY IN THE POWER EXCHANGE
As a result of Turkey’s negotiations with both sides in the war, important gains such as grain corridor agreement and prisoner exchange were achieved. Negotiations on the prisoner exchange started 3 months ago. Our President constantly talked to the leaders about the prisoner exchange. We made the offer to bring 5 names to Turkey. The process would be clogged for 5 people, but it was solved with our formula. MIT played a very important role in the exchange process.
THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS TO TURKISH BANKS
The allegations have no basis, the sanctions are not breached. Turkey is being tried to be implicated. Mir card is a card that Russian tourists spend in Turkey. Just as other tourists use other cards here, Russian tourists also use these cards here.
WILL A POLITICAL DIALOGUE BE ESTABLISHED WITH DAMASCUS?
There are currently no plans for political contact with Syria. Intelligence is making contact. Turkey’s stance on Syria is clear. The Astana process continues. Constitution work continues.
F-16 MEETINGS WITH THE USA
The US administration is very keen on the sale. In our opinion, if it goes to a vote, it will pass both the congress and the senate. If there is no sale, we always have alternatives.
WILL ERDOĞAN SEE MİÇOTAKİS?
Our President takes two steps when one step is taken. I don’t know if there will be a meeting in Prague on 6-7 October. It depends on the steps of the Greek side. There are currently no scheduled meetings with Mitsotakis.
NORMALIZATION STEPS WITH ISRAEL
We do not have a changed stance on Palestine. We are in favor of a two-state solution. Our stance on both the establishment of the Palestinian state and the protection of Israel’s security continues. We find it important that an Israeli Prime Minister announced a two-state solution 15 years later. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that they most want Turkey to improve relations with Israel.
Negotiations continue for natural gas to pass through Turkey. Europe also wants natural gas to pass through Turkey.
MAHSA AMIN EVENTS IN IRAN
I am saddened by the death that occurred. I believe that the Iranian side will act with common sense.” (NEWS CENTER)