Erdoğan announces key decisions after Cabinet meeting

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used his post-Cabinet address to announce a date for applications for rental homes: September 14. He said the government had taken decisions aimed at improving citizens’ welfare, while also turning much of his speech toward history, national identity and Turkey’s place in the region.

Erdoğan described the Republic of Turkey as the most distinguished link in a thousands-year journey. He rejected interpretations that skip from ancient Turkish history directly to the republic while ignoring the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, calling them deliberate efforts at social engineering designed to sever the nation from its roots. He cited commemorations in Ahlat and Malazgirt and praised a gathering attended by Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli and other political leaders to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert.

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We will not allow anyone to carry out an operation on these lands.

His regional message was blunt. Erdoğan said Turkey’s calm approach should not encourage anyone to entertain “different dreams” and declared that Ankara would not allow anyone to carry out an “operation” on its territory. He said Turkey would not watch hostile moves in the region from the sidelines, while stressing that it was not opposed to any faith or society and did not hold categorical enmity toward anyone. Those disturbed by Turkey’s strengthening, he said, would not turn the country from its path.

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Turkey will not be against any faith or society. Turkey is categorically against every form of banditry, whoever commits it.

The president also addressed two maritime emergencies. In Kyrenia, 14 people died and 14 remained missing after a passenger vessel capsized. Turkey was supporting operations in cooperation with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus using nine ships and 11 aircraft, while official institutions followed the judicial process. Search and rescue efforts also continued for the 10 crew members aboard a vessel that sank off Silivri.

Erdoğan linked the 104th anniversary of a major victory to Turkey’s determination to protect its future and sovereignty. He said Ankara was working to expand cooperation with all countries while placing Turkey’s interests at the center of foreign policy. He pointed to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s potential and said he had attended its September 1 summit in Bishkek, where he met several heads of government, including Vladimir Putin.

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Those disturbed by the strengthening of our country cannot turn us from our path.