Erdoğan: Russia is far from convincing!

After finalizing his meetings in France and Belgium, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan moved on to Japan. Erdoğan answered the questions directed to him by the journalists who accompanied him on the way to Tokyo.

The president, who visited France and Belgium met with Turkish citizens living in Strasbourg. The people's enthusiasm and attendance was high. Erdoğan, whose Belgium visit was intense, later met with Martin Schultz, the president of the European Parliament, Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council and Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission. The refugeee issue headlined the discussions with the top officials. Similarly Turkey's full accession to the EU was also discussed. The delays in the chapters that need to be opened were brought up and chapters 15, 17, 23, 24 and 30 in particular were each brought to the table.

Eager to accelerate visa exemption in particular and have it effective before 2007, European Commission President Juncker, said “the negotiation process needs to be expedited.” All three officials seemed to have a more positive approach compared to past contacts. They underscored that they are aware of Turkey's grave burden especially regarding the refugees, and stated they will discuss among themselves how much of the burden they can relieve. Erdoğan said, “I believe we can make good progress if Europe continues to maintain its current sensitivity to their plight as now.”

President Erdoğan touched on NATO's harsh statement over Russia's violation of Turkey's airspace that a violation of Turkey's airspace is considered the violation of NATO's airspace. “The message is quite clear. Russia's explanations regarding these violations are far from being serious. Surely it is not pleasant for Russia to make such violations aimed at a country like Turkey, its neighbor, with which it has an active high-level cooperation council mechanism,” said Erdoğan.

President Erdoğan, who met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow in person in late September, had a telephone conversation with him right after the air operations. Erdoğan said, “The violations that occurred after our discussions have nothing to do with solemnity. Of course we are upset. It should not have happened.”

When asked how he viewed the U.S. and Russia's intention to help the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northern Syria against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Erdoğan said he did not believe the U.S. and Russia would share the same sentiments on a matter so critical for Turkey. “Before anything, Turkey and the U.S. are strategic allies. We are a NATA member. How can these two countries share the same sentiments when Turkey is wronged? It's not possible. Everyone needs to know that the PYD and PKK are one and the same. Russia is not in Syria to eliminate ISIS. They once let it slip that every group against the regime is a terrorist group. Their real intention seems to be to build a base in Latakia and strengthen their military presence in Syria. They send 50 planes there. All countries, including the U.S., need to take a position after the NATO council meeting in Brussels. We cannot tolerate the current state of affairs. Russias excuses regarding the violations of airspace are far from convincing.”

Speaking about the commercial ties between Russia and Turkey, President Erdoğan said trade ties were a matter that both countries should be sensitive about.

He stated that, there were matters for Russia to think about. If the Russians don't build the Akkuyu nuclear plant there will always be someone else to come and build it.

Erdoğan added: "We are Russia's number one natural gas consumer. Losing Turkey would be a great loss for Russia. Turkey can always get its natural gas from other sources."

On the Syria issue, Erdoğan said, “Seven countries, the U.S., France, Turkey, the U.K., Germany, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are working on the matter, but there is one thing that we need to rectify and make clear: The term “buffer zone” is not the right term. It should be stated correctly that it is a 'safe zone free of terror.' “

“The aim is to secure a safe zone for Syrians. It is important for our Syrian guests who want to return to their hometowns as well as those internally displaced. I don't approve tent or container cities. When I told my counterparts that we can carry out authentic building projects, they said they wanted to study the proposals,” he added.

Erdoğan said the PKK and PYD are parts of the same terrorist organization. The relationship between the PKK and the PYD is clear; there are photographs of the leaders of this separatist organization (PKK) hanging at PYD strongholds.

While answering whether the latest border violation by Russian fighter jets would lead the country to conflict with Turkey, Erdoğan said he did not see any possibility of further steps from Russia.

Touching on his meeting with Putin weeks ago to discuss regional issues; Erdoğan said since Russia violated Turkish airspace only days after that meeting , there is no sense in calling him again. “The emergency meeting by NATO council shows how serious the matter actually is,” he said.

Erdoğan stated that Russia is moving aggressively and underlined that the U.S. should take action against this.

“Turkey has long been discussing the Syrian crisis with the U.S., and the issue has already reached the Interior Ministry level.”

The president said he might have a telephone meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in the near future to discuss the latest Russian airstrikes in Syria and the steps that are likely to be taken.

In response to a question about the legal procedures against the parallel state, Erdoğan said all action is taken within the framework of national and international law.

Turkey has sent a Red Notices to Interpol for the detention of the members of the parallel state, who fled Turkey after prosecutors launched investigations against them.

Erdoğan said Turkey's officials are in contact with Interpol regarding the Red Notices. He said the structure has many newspapers and television channels to use in the manipulation of the people. He called on Turkish citizens to think over the financial sources of this illegal structure.

Regarding the reconciliation process, Erdoğan said the pro-Kurdish HDP was responsible for violating the process. “The party that is backed the terrorist organization [PKK] ruined the process. It called for street vandalism during meetings. But our governorate, security forces and police will utilize their full authority to provide public security.”