Syrians who want to stay in Türkiye are more than welcome: Erdogan
Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan greets crowd during the AK Party's 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress in Kocaeli at Sehit Polis Recep Topaloglu Sports Hall in Kocaeli, Türkiye on Dec. 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made important remarks during the 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress of the ruling AK Party in Sakarya, emphasizing Türkiye’s continued support for Syrian refugees.
Referring to the Syrian opposition’s efforts to overthrow the 61-year-old Baathist regime in Syria, Erdogan stated, “Syrians who want to stay here by contributing to our country with their work, skills, and production are always welcome.”
He reinforced Türkiye’s stance on refugees, adding, “We will never expel the refugees from this country; we will embrace them. Thankfully, did what we say happen? It happened. Now we see them returning to their homes with sacks and suitcases. This would not have been possible without our patience. We were patient, and those who are patient achieve victory.”
‘We are on the eve of a new era’
Erdogan also touched on the broader changes facing Türkiye, saying, “We are on the eve of a new period on the brink of major shifts. We have the will to overcome this phase.”
He stressed that Türkiye would take full advantage of new opportunities as the Republic enters its second century.
“We will always protect the refugees. Now, they are returning. This would not have happened without our patience,” he reiterated.
