NEW YORK: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye has reiterated the nation’s unwavering stance against attacks on the sacred values of the global Muslim community, emphasizing that such actions will not be justified under the guise of freedom of thought.
Speaking at a dinner event organized by the Turkish American National Steering Committee in New York, President Erdogan denounced these actions as provocations aimed at inciting people.
In his address, President Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s proactive role in advocating for international resolutions through the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, denouncing violent actions directed at holy books as clear violations of international law. He pledged to persist in these efforts, emphasizing the importance of preventing hostility towards Islam to curb further recklessness from perpetrators.
President Erdogan expressed concern that the recent vicious attacks on the Quran are not isolated incidents and warned that if left unaddressed, they could escalate and target various groups with diverse origins, languages, cultures, and beliefs in the future. He assured that Türkiye is committed to addressing this growing threat.
Drawing attention to potential threats to Turkish-American relations, President Erdogan cautioned against interest groups seeking to poison the relationship. He emphasized the importance of truthfulness and representing Türkiye to thwart such attempts.
Speaking on the future of US-Türkiye relations, President Erdogan highlighted their commitment to strengthening cooperation based on shared interests. He acknowledged the normalcy of differences of opinion in interstate relations but underscored the multitude of common grounds and opportunities for collaboration with the United States.
President Erdogan affirmed his agreement with US President Joe Biden to bolster friendship and cooperation between their respective nations. He emphasized the significance of the strategic mechanism established with Mr. Biden, which enhances dialogue between the two countries.
Economically, the trade volume between Türkiye and the US achieved a record high last year, exceeding $32 billion, underscoring the robust economic ties between the two nations. Additionally, Türkiye’s critical role as a key NATO ally and a vital regional partner for the US was acknowledged, further cementing the importance of their collaboration and shared objectives.
