Minister Akar: We are trying to approach what Greece has done as calmly as possible.

National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar together with Azerbaijani Defense Minister General Zakir Hasanov, Georgian Defense Minister Juansher Burchuladze and TAF command level in his speech on the Distinguished Observer Day of the Winter Exercise with the largest participation in the history of the Republic, he affirmed that Turkey must have a reasonable, logical and stable approach, he affirmed that it pursued foreign policy.

Minister Akar said that despite all Turkey’s efforts in this direction, Greece continues to engage in increasingly provocative actions and rhetoric.

Drawing attention to the arming of the islands by Greece in violation of international agreements and the provocative visits by the Greek authorities, Minister Akar said: “We see that, in response to our call for peace and dialogue, the Greece’s pursuit of artificial alliances and futile armament efforts is contrary to the spirit of alliance and neighborliness, we hope they understand it too.”

The weakness of Turkey’s calls for dialogue, “We do not allow a fait accompli!” Emphasizing that his rhetoric should not be perceived as a threat, Minister Akar said: “We cannot threaten Greece. We say what must be done within international law and good neighborly relations. Turkey is not a threat to anyone; Turkey is a strong, reliable and effective ally. We have never allowed any fait accompli in Cyprus, the Aegean or the eastern Mediterranean, and we will not do so in the future. We have not violated our rights in any way and will not violate them. We are determined, determined and able to protect and protect our rights and laws.”

Stating that Turkey has successfully done and continues to do its part in NATO for 71 years, Minister Akar said that strengthening Turkey means strengthening NATO. Referring to Turkey’s supply of US F-16s, Minister Akar said:

“The information we have received so far during our official contacts is positive. We hope that this will be concluded as soon as possible with positive and concrete steps. We continue to transmit these requests to our interlocutors through official channels. We also see that there are several initiatives against it. We believe that the modernization works and acquisitions will give positive results if all this is put aside and proceed with reason, logic and objective criteria. Strong Turkey, strong Turkish armed forces; A strong NATO means a strong alliance. That’s how everyone should know.”

NATO MEMBERSHIP PROCESS FOR SWEDEN AND FINLAND

Stating that Turkey has supported NATO’s open door policy from the very beginning, Minister Akar also made assessments on Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO membership process. Expressing that Sweden and Finland must act in accordance with the memorandum signed in Madrid, Minister Akar said: “The extradition of the terrorists there to Turkey in the framework of the fight against terrorism is a natural result of this memorandum of understanding. Everyone should see this. We look forward to this. As long as terrorists are supported, commitments are not met and export restrictions continue, there is no way Turkey can say ‘yes’ to this. Unfortunately, not enough concrete action has been taken on these issues, especially by Sweden so far.”

Minister Akar shared the following regarding the tripartite meeting held in Moscow by the Turkish-Russian and Syrian Defense Ministers and Intelligence Chiefs:

* “As we always say, our only target is the terrorists, we are making efforts to protect our borders and our citizens from terrorism, on the other hand, we have declared that we do not want an additional influx of refugees, therefore we do our best to keep our Syrian brothers in their own lands. We have brought to the agenda that we are making efforts to ensure that our Syrian brothers and sisters in Turkey return to their lands and homes safely, voluntarily and respectfully, depending on the provision of welfare, security and peace in the coming days. .

* Also, we have Syrian brothers and sisters with whom we are both in Syria and Turkey, and we work with them. It is out of the question for us to say or do something against these brothers that will get them in trouble. In the next few days, our technical committees will hold their meetings as a continuation of this meeting. We do everything we can to get results.”

“OUR GOAL IS NOT WAR”

Stating that while equipping the TAF with national and national defense industry products, great efforts are made for the education and training of army personnel, and exercises are important in this, Minister Akar said from a poem by the poet and doctor Abdülhak Molla, “This parable finds a sentence with a duel fevz-ü felah, get ready to fight, if you want peace, peace.” He read his verses.

“Our goal here is not war.” Minister Akar said that they are continuing to work to protect the rights and interests of the country and the nation, to ensure their security and carry out their defense, and that they are working to maintain preparations at the highest level.

Minister Akar stated that the TAF, which has conducted 985 exercises in the past five years, has conducted 225 exercises in 2022 and shared that 206 exercises are planned in 2023.

Expressing that Turkey has become a subject with its initiatives in this sensitive period, while the world is going through a period of uncertainties, risks and threats, Minister Akar expressed that Turkey’s sphere of influence and interest has widened as a natural consequence of this.

“OUR PURPOSE OF OCCUPATION IS NEVER IN CONSIDERATION”

Minister Akar affirmed that border security was ensured with the most intense control measures in the history of the Republic, since the passage of 1 million 488 thousand fugitives was prevented in the last five years, and 2,400 terrorists from the 797 thousand captured. to law enforcement.

Stating that all activities in the fight against terrorism are carried out within the scope of self-defence, Minister Akar continued as follows:

* “We never have any intention of harassment, rape or occupation. What we do are operations within the framework of self-defense to protect our country and nation. By doing this, everyone from the highest rank to the most senior is made aware of this fact in all operations from start to finish, be it in the planning phase or the implementation phase.

* Every precaution is taken not to harm innocent people. In addition, every precaution is taken to ensure that historical, religious and cultural structures are not damaged. Beyond these, all kinds of sensitivity and care are shown both in the planning and in the execution of our work so as not to harm the environment. In this fight, our only target in the operations we carry out, whether at home or abroad, are terrorists. This must be well known. You have to see it very well. Everyone must be vigilant and vigilant against collisions and distortions.”

“Kurds and Turks lie side by side in our martyrdoms”

Stating that they continue to fight against all kinds of terrorist groups and organizations, Minister Akar said:

* “Everyone should know that we do not have an operation against ethnic, religious or sectarian groups in any way. Some sedition groups are trying to create sedition by distorting this somehow, as if there is such a thing in our operations. Everyone knows that this is by no means real. But these wrongdoers and wrongdoers do this deliberately to discriminate.

* We know that Turks and Kurds have been living together for centuries. They took girls, they gave girls. We share the same bread, we share the same water. We have cleared this land of the enemy. We founded this Republic. We raise these flags. As the best proof of this, Kurds and Turks lie side by side in our martyrdoms.”

Minister Akar stated that Turkey will continue its efforts to create a peaceful environment with countries such as Libya, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Somalia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Seas.