Erdogan eyes new era with US, discusses potential cooperation with Elon Musk
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the journalists along with him. (Handout Photo by Turkish Presidency)
On his return flight from Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed journalists’ questions on a range of topics, including Israel’s actions in Gaza, the potential impact of Donald Trump’s victory and his cabinet, Türkiye’s cross-border operations, and the upcoming COP29 climate summit in Baku.
‘We need to see how Trump’s cabinet will be formed’
When asked about Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential race and its impact on Türkiye-U.S. relations, President Erdogan responded, “The future of our relations with the United States in the new term cannot be shaped by telephone diplomacy alone. We will meet with Mr. Trump at international meetings or in bilateral talks, where we can assess the way forward more clearly.”
“At this stage, we need to see how Mr. Trump’s cabinet will be formed and who will be included. His cabinet members will have meetings with my colleagues, and through these interactions, they will get to know each other better, and we will take steps accordingly,” President Erdogan added.
Vice Presidents and Foreign Ministers will play a key role in this regard. These officials will meet, get acquainted, and consult with each other. Our hope is that a significantly different process will begin between Türkiye and the United States.
There are always opportunities available between the two countries. Our primary expectation is the willingness to take advantage of these opportunities and implement steps that will benefit both nations.
Like every leader, we approach this matter from the perspective of our country’s interests. The Trump administration views the economy as one of its top priorities. Türkiye, with its strategic geographical location and young population, offers investment opportunities.
We can create new opportunities to increase trade volume and promote investments between the two countries. Particularly in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and technology, there is potential to develop new partnerships.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
‘Steps could be taken with Musk as well’
When asked about his meetings with Elon Musk and Türkiye’s space exploration efforts, President Erdogan responded, “Musk is a businessperson working in space and technology, and he closely follows technological developments, making significant advancements. We had a meeting with him in Türkiye on this topic, and during our recent meeting at the United Nations General Assembly at the Turkevi, he brought his child along. Our discussion there was sincere and cordial.”
He also addressed Musk’s support for Trump, stating, “In this campaign, Musk sided with Mr. Trump, but what matters to us is his role as a key figure in the fields of space and technology.”
During the meeting at the Türkevi, Musk was seen leaving with a copy of my book, “A Fairer World is Possible.”
“Türkiye’s advancements in technology are drawing global attention. Technology is not an area where you can progress alone; you need to establish some partnerships. If opportunities for collaboration arise in this field, steps could be taken with Musk as well,” Erdogan stated.
“Over time, we will see in what capacity Elon Musk will serve in the Trump administration and how his role might benefit Mr. Trump or the U.S. administration,” Erdogan added.
‘Meetings with Trump in the past were far more frequent compared to Biden’
Speaking about the impact of Donald Trump’s election on the threat of regional war and the risk of Israeli occupation, the president said: “It’s too early to assess this. Let’s see how Trump takes over from Biden and what steps he takes after the transition. We hope for a shift in his approach to the region, as some past messages have raised concerns. January will reveal more,” Erdogan said.
“I believe we will be able to evaluate the situation more clearly after January when the steps he plans to take will be evident. Just as we communicated and had discussions a few days after his election, I believe we will continue our interactions in the same manner in the future,” President Erdogan added.
“Our meetings with Trump in the past were far more frequent compared to those with Biden. Hopefully, we will take these steps in the best possible way during this term, and both the United States and Türkiye will benefit from this,” Erdogan stated.
‘As long as arms shipments continue, Israel will become more aggressive’
When asked about the West, led by the United States, viewing China and Russia as threats to the post-World War II order and their stance on the Israel-Gaza issue, President Erdogan responded, “Time will show us what positions Chinese PresidentXi Jinping and Russian President Putin will take. The best judge in this matter is time.”
He further emphasized, “We are obliged to monitor and follow this closely. We will observe what stance they adopt and what steps they take, as these countries have now become significant players on the world stage. Therefore, we must keep a close watch on them.”
China and Russia have both made statements describing Israel’s attacks as unjust and unlawful. They have also called for the attacks to end and for the issue to be resolved through diplomatic means.
Russia and China signed our joint letter initiative at the United Nations, which seeks measures to halt the shipment of weapons and ammunition to Israel.
This is an important step because as long as these shipments continue, Israel will become more aggressive
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“Every day that Israel is not restrained, the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Lebanon deteriorates further. Each day that uninterrupted humanitarian aid cannot be delivered, people die from lack of medicine, hunger, thirst, and brutal attacks,” President Erdogan concluded.
Erdogan’s comments regarding COP29 climate summit in Baku
When asked about Türkiye’s progress in renewable energy and its target of achieving zero emissions by 2053, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan replied, “Climate change is one of the most critical issues facing the world today. We approach this problem with the same seriousness as we do with wars, conflicts and migrations. As the government, we are firmly focused on what measures we can take in coordination with our relevant ministries.”
Türkiye was one of the top countries represented at the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, with the highest level of participation. Under the AK Party government, the share of renewable energy in energy production has risen to 55%, which is a record.
“We have already taken, are taking, and will continue to take steps to use our limited natural resources in the most efficient way possible. The goal is to elevate the civilization that humanity has developed over centuries to a much higher level,” Erdogan added.
“Türkiye attaches great importance to this issue and makes every effort to fulfill its responsibilities. However, it is impossible to find a deep and lasting solution with the efforts of only a few countries, including ours. We need to act in an organized manner and shoulder this burden together,” President Erdogan underlined.
While some countries fully commit to combating climate change, others, driven by profit, ignore necessary measures and even contribute to further environmental pollution. This inconsistency makes it impossible to solve the problem. From families, institutions, local governments, and civil society to countries and international organizations, we need to adopt a high level of awareness and a mobilized approach to overcome this global challenge.
In particular, it is crucial to involve countries that lack sufficient resources in the fight against climate change through financing, technology transfer, and capacity building. The importance of the Zero Waste initiative is becoming increasingly recognized, and we are working to spread it and turn it into a way of life.
Our environmental and climate sensitivity is at the highest level and will remain so. We have taken our measures so far, and we will continue to do so.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
‘History will judge those who stood by Israel’
Responding to a question about the lack of clear support from Arab and Turkic world leaders on the issue of Israel, President Erdogan stated, “Since the beginning of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, we have called on everyone to oppose the massacres and deaths. One of our main agenda items in talks with every country has been Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians.
To stand against such oppression, it is enough to be human. It does not matter what language you speak, what faith you follow, or the color of your skin, hair, or eyes; what matters is whether you hold humane values.”
“Unfortunately, we have not seen this from the leaders of some Western countries. It is difficult to find common ground with those whose hearts do not ache at the cries of Palestinian children. It would be unrealistic to expect those who justify the bombing of hospitals and ambulances as “Israel’s right to self-defense” to stand against such oppression,” Erdogan said.
We are working to expand the alliance of humanity with Arab and Turkic states, to show that we stand united against this injustice. We need to raise our voices against this cruelty with unity and determination
Acting without delay is even more critical. Our call includes concrete actions. For example, there is ongoing legal action at the International Court of Justice, and strong support for it is crucial. Efforts to recognize the State of Palestine are another concrete step.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“Without a two-state solution, there can be no peace and stability in the region. Trade restrictions and embargoes on Israel are also forms of resistance. Active diplomacy that pressures Israel at every level is essential,” President Erdogan underlined.
“We are in the midst of a great humanitarian test. Passing this test is only possible by being part of the alliance of humanity. Otherwise, history will judge those who stood by Israel and those who remained silent in the face of oppression,” President Erdogan concluded.
‘If we feel threatened, we are prepared to launch cross-border operations at any moment’
Responding to a question about whether his statement on Israel’s aggression, “We will not wait for the fire in the region to reach us,” could be interpreted as preparation for a new buffer zone operation beyond Türkiye’s borders, President Erdogan said, “Yes, there is the issue of a 30-kilometer-deep terror-free zone. We had plans to eliminate these terrorist groups within Syria’s territory.
Another aim was to prepare the ground for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of our Syrian brothers and sisters. We have made progress in this regard. Our construction projects in northern Syria continue, providing a foundation for the return of Syrian refugees.”
During both the COP Summit and the meetings in Riyadh, the steps we plan to take in Syria were of great importance. Once we address these issues, we will have made significant progress in northern Syria. Consider the Qamishli region in Syria.
Why are we taking necessary measures there with our security forces? Because we aim to root out the terrorist organizations in the area. These steps have allowed our security forces to make substantial progress and achieve significant results.
Both our intelligence services and security forces have taken actions that have brought relief to Türkiye. Cross-border operations remain on our agenda for the safety of our country and the peace of our citizens. If we feel a threat, we are prepared to launch cross-border operations at any moment.
No one should doubt our respect for Syria’s territorial integrity. However, there is a complete lack of stability in northern Syria. This chaos provides a fertile ground for terrorist organizations to sustain themselves. The instability and the presence of these groups pose a security risk for us.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“Our operations against Daesh and the PKK/PYD/YPG aim solely to ensure our own security. Future steps will also focus on this objective.” Erdogan stated and added, “There are still areas along our borders where terrorists are holding on, creating a risk to our security. Complete safety can only be ensured by fully clearing these areas and eliminating the terrorist threat.”
‘If we can restore our relations with Bashar al-Assad, it will ease situation in the region significantly’
Responding to a question about Israel’s aggression and whether it is part of an effort to redraw borders in the Middle East, as well as the opposition’s stance on the issue, President Erdogan stated, “Right now, the opposition does not seem concerned about this issue. Since they lack such a concern, we have to take matters into our own hands. We have no other choice. The results from Syria so far, in my opinion, will also bring relief to the region. However, if we can restore our relations with Bashar al-Assad, it will ease the situation in the region significantly.”
“It appears the opposition does not understand our approach to maintaining internal unity. Strengthening the internal front is crucial, but unfortunately, we have not found an opposition willing to act with shared sensitivity on this matter,” Erdogan added.
The opposition is focused on short-term political gains and profits, while we are working on policies that address long-term global and regional risks. While we solidify our internal front, we will not give any space to terrorism.
Strengthening the internal front does not mean giving way to terrorist groups or allowing them to exploit the nation’s resources. We are calling for unity and solidarity. We want to respond firmly and consistently to those who seek to divide us, saying, ‘We are one, we are whole, and together we are Türkiye.’ We strive to leave those attempting to sow discord empty-handed.
The spirit of unity and solidarity is part of our essence. Our call for a strong internal front is a spark that reminds us of our unity and togetherness. It is a call to firmly hold onto the values that make us who we are and to push back against those trying to tarnish the unique picture we have created.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Erdogan’s remarks about upcoming G-20 Summit in Rio
Journalists also asked, “At the upcoming G-20 Summit in Rio, what stance will you take regarding global economic and energy security? What proposals will you make to address the economic challenges faced by developing countries?”
“I believe the meeting in Brazil will be a summit where very different and significant messages will be conveyed to the world. We are determined in this regard. We have prepared well for this summit,” President Erdogan said and added, “I expect the G-20 Summit in Rio to be very productive and beneficial. I am confident that our meeting with President Lula will be a momentous event that will resonate globally.”
We view the G-20 Summit in Rio as a crucial platform for discussions on global economy and energy security. Türkiye has been focusing on measures to enhance stability in the global economy and fostering international cooperation.
We have consistently emphasized the need to develop joint strategies for economic recovery, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic, highlighting the importance of solidarity among countries. Energy security is also a critical issue for Türkiye.
In today’s interconnected world, we need to create an agenda that includes concrete proposals to address the economic difficulties faced by developing countries. We must take precautions against crises that could affect not only one country but also the economies of many interconnected nations.
As an active and influential member of international platforms, Türkiye is working on numerous proposals aimed at improving both its own economic interests and the conditions of developing nations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
