Turkish VP Yilmaz addresses Gaza crisis, demographic challenges

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz emphasized Türkiye’s clear stance on the Gaza crisis, calling for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders and United Nations resolutions.

Speaking during a live interview on CNN Turk’s, Yilmaz also addressed Türkiye’s growing demographic concerns, highlighting the country’s decreasing birthrate and aging population.

Ankara’s stance on Gaza

Yilmaz stressed that without a fair two-state solution, it is impossible to achieve lasting stability in the region.

“Türkiye’s position is very clear. Without a fair solution based on 1967 borders and U.N. resolutions, peace in this region is not possible. Global peace is also impossible without peace in the Middle East, especially in Jerusalem,” he said.

He expressed concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing the heavy attacks on civilians as “crimes against humanity” and criticizing Israel’s government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for ignoring international condemnation.

“Netanyahu’s government should be on trial at the International Court of Justice for genocide, but no international body or public opinion seems to pay attention,” Yilmaz added.

Yilmaz reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Palestine and the ongoing efforts for a peaceful resolution.

“We are on the right side of history, and we are standing with the oppressed. Türkiye is following this issue until the end,” he said.

The need for regional stability

Yilmaz also pointed out that escalating tensions in the region are dangerous, not just for Gaza, but for broader Middle Eastern stability. “The situation in Gaza should not be used as a cover to spread regional conflict. This must not be forgotten,” he stated.

He called for more peaceful, democratic standards in the region, stressing the need for countries to foster an environment conducive to peace.

Demographic challenges in Türkiye

Addressing domestic issues, Yilmaz warned of Türkiye’s declining birthrate, which has fallen to 1.5 children per woman, below the critical threshold of 2.1 needed to maintain the population.

“Unfortunately, we are aging. At a rate of 1.5, we are even lower than France. When the fertility rate drops below 2.1, it means the population will start to decline soon,” Yilmaz said.

The vice president emphasized that Türkiye’s demographic shift is a significant risk, particularly as the median age in the country rises to 33.

He added that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered the formation of a new committee, likely headed by Yilmaz, to address demographic issues. “We will implement stronger policies regarding demography. Our biggest asset is our dynamic and young population, but we are losing it,” he stated.

Yilmaz highlighted the need for comprehensive policies to reverse the trend, underscoring the importance of Erdogan’s long-standing call for families to have at least three children.

“We must face this reality. It is one of our most fundamental issues, and we need a multifaceted approach to address it,” he said.

Economic outlook and fiscal discipline

On the economic front, Yilmaz emphasized that Türkiye is sticking to its economic policies, with a primary focus on combating inflation. He noted that inflation had decreased by 23.5 points in the last three months.

“We are not where we want to be yet, but the trend is downward,” he maintained.

Yilmaz stressed the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline, noting that the government continues to follow strict measures of public savings and efficiency while implementing strategies to increase revenues.