Turkey’s medical tourism revenues achieved $2.3 billion in 2023, ranking seventh globally in this field.

The Ministry of Commerce stated in a statement on Monday that the “Health in Turkey” electronic portal is the face of the Turkish brand in the medical tourism sector.

The statement explained that the Health in Turkey website includes 175 institutions operating in the medical tourism sector, with the number of requests to participate in the portal increasing day after day.

It added that Turkey ranks 7th globally in the field of medical tourism through 40 health institutions holding international certificates, which contributes positively to Turkey’s preference in the sector at the global level.

The statement stated that the countries of the Middle East, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are at the forefront of the countries from which Turkey receives visitors for the purpose of medical tourism.

It confirmed achieving revenues of $1.9 billion from the health services sector in 2022, which rose to $2.3 billion in 2023 by receiving 1.4 million health tourists.

The post $2.3 billion in medical tourism revenues in Turkey appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

On Saturday, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States Kubanychbek Umuraliyev praised the importance of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum currently being held in southwestern Turkey.

He said in his speech that the meeting of many leaders of countries and governments, ministers and high-level officials in the forum is an important factor on the political and diplomatic levels.

He pointed out that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned several times in his speech at the opening of the forum the Organization of Turkic States.

Omuraliyev added that the forum will also witness the holding of a symposium entitled “Institutionalization in the Turkish World: The Organization of Turkic States in the 21st Century” with the participation of academics from several countries.

The Organization of Turkic States (formerly the Turkic Council) was established on October 3, 2009, and includes Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.

While Hungary, Turkmenistan, and Turkish Northern Cyprus all hold observer member status.

Yesterday, Friday, the Diplomatic Forum began in its third edition in the state of Antalya, in the presence of about 4,500 guests, including 19 heads of state and government, 73 ministers, and 57 international representatives from 147 countries.

Until Sunday, the Antalya Diplomatic Forum will discuss many global issues of concern to the Middle East, the Pacific region, Africa and Latin America, such as climate change, the food crisis, and “space diplomacy,” in addition to the Gaza issue.

On the sidelines of the forum, a high-level session will be held under the patronage of Turkish First Lady Emine Erdogan, which will address “Women, Peace and Security.”

The post Turkic States praises importance of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the liberation of the Azerbaijani Karabakh region from the Armenian occupation “opened a window of opportunity for lasting peace in the region.”

This came in a press conference by President Erdogan with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on Monday, following their meeting in the presidential complex in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

He stated that the volume of trade exchange between Turkey and Azerbaijan reached 7.5 billion dollars last year, and he added: “We are continuing our efforts to reach 15 billion dollars.”

Erdogan added: “With the end of the (Armenian) occupation in Karabakh, a historic window of opportunity has opened to achieve lasting peace in our region.”

The post Erdogan: The end of occupation in Karabakh opened for peace appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

The year 2023 witnessed intense diplomatic activity by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which he conducted 21 foreign visits to 15 countries, attended 7 international summits, and focused his efforts to ensure peace.

Erdogan intensified his international contacts after the parliamentary and presidential elections last May, and put the Gaza issue on his agenda in all his meetings with leaders since October, with the start of the Israeli attacks.

It also hosted many foreign leaders during the year, including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the President of the Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas.

With his re-inauguration as president of the country at the end of last May, Erdogan began his foreign visits, and his first stops were to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijan on June 12. He also attended 7 summits within the scope of his foreign visits,

Last July, Erdogan made five foreign visits, including a visit to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, on the 10th of the same month, to attend the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, which was held on July 11.

Erdogan also visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Emirates on July 17, 18, and 19 in his Gulf tour, from which he went again to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on July 20 (he visited it in the second week of June).

Erdogan also visited Hungary on August 20 to attend the celebrations of the Hungarian state’s founding day and some events at the World Athletics Championships, then headed to the Russian city of Sochi on September 4, at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, for a one-day working visit.

The Turkish President also participated in the G20 Leaders Summit in India on September 8, and followed it by attending the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, USA, from September 16 to 20.

In this context, Erdogan conducted a one-day working visit to the Nakhchivan region (belonging to Azerbaijan) on September 25, at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Peace diplomacy for Palestine

Erdogan intensified his international contacts after the Israeli attacks on Gaza that began on October 7, putting Gaza on the agenda in all his meetings with leaders, introducing intense peace diplomacy.

The Turkish President made 6 visits last November, which included Kazakhstan to attend the tenth summit of the Organization of Turkic States on November 2. In his speech at the summit, he said that “acting in unity and solidarity like the Turkish world will facilitate the path to a ceasefire first and then to lasting peace.” “.

During his visit to Uzbekistan on November 8 to attend the 16th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Erdogan explained that “the Israeli government violated all the values of humanity and destroyed schools, mosques, churches, hospitals, universities and civilians.”

For the second time during the year, Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia on November 11, to attend the extraordinary joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League held in Riyadh to discuss the Israeli war on Gaza.

Erdogan said during the summit that “in the Islamic world, we cannot of course leave our Palestinian brothers helpless,” and called for “the establishment of a fund within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for the reconstruction of Gaza.”

After the re-election of President Erdogan, dozens of state leaders visited Turkey to attend the inauguration ceremony that was held on June 3. The same month also witnessed Erdogan hosting the President of the Emirates, and later he hosted the Ukrainian President, the President of Algeria, and the Palestinian President.

During the year, Erdogan also hosted the President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Austrian Prime Minister, Karl Nehammer, and met with the Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and other leaders, leaders, and prime ministers.

The post President Erdogan visited 15 countries.. intense diplomacy in 2023 appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that the positive atmosphere in the Islamic world will be reflected in Gaza and Jerusalem in the near future.

This came in a speech delivered by Erdogan on Saturday at the “Distribution of Science Endowment Awards” ceremony in Istanbul.

Erdogan touched on the events that Palestine has witnessed since 1947 and the problems that Turkey has faced in the recent past.

He pointed out the difference between Palestine in 1947 and present-day Palestine, and said: “What was it and how did it become? How did they colonize it?”

He explained that “International Zionism” is currently seeking to go beyond what it practiced in Palestine by drawing borders.

He continued: “No one can deny that Turkey had its share of this scenario.”

He pointed out that the Justice and Development Party governments paid heavy prices in this regard over the past years.

He said: “But we also succeeded in extricating our country from the quagmire in which it has been struggling for three-quarters of a century.”

He added: “Compared to what it was 20 or 40 years ago, Turkey is now freer with its democracy, security, economy, defense and diplomacy, and is able to look to its future with much greater confidence.”

President Erdogan stated that as Turkey’s strength increases politically, militarily and economically, the self-confidence of the people who pin their hopes on it increases.

He added: “There has become a much different, more positive and courageous atmosphere in both the Islamic and Turkish worlds compared to the past.”

He stressed that the liberation of the Azerbaijani Karabakh region from the (Armenian) occupation strengthened this atmosphere even more.

He continued: “Do not worry, the days when we will be able to prevent the unjust Israeli government’s massacres in Gaza and its transgressions in Jerusalem with the support of Western countries are near, God willing.”

The post Erdogan: The positive atmosphere will be reflected in Gaza soon appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department, Fahrettin Altun, said that Turkey has become a “decision maker and a leading country in the region” as it enters the second century of the Republic.

This came in an article by Altun under the title “Erdogan’s Turkey offers solutions when the United Nations fails,” published in Atalayar, a political magazine based in Spain on Saturday.

Altun stressed that “Turkey effectively uses modern tools for interaction between countries, such as public diplomacy, as well as humanitarian aid and diplomatic channels to solve global and regional problems.”

Altun pointed to Turkey’s role in regional issues and the required reform in the United Nations mechanism.

He explained that Turkey “was founded in the shadow of an unprecedented war of independence at the beginning of the twentieth century,” and last October 29, it celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of its republic.

He explained that the republic was founded on the principles of national sovereignty as a result of the War of Independence, “in which the Turkish people won with their determination and valor.”

He pointed out that Turkey’s preservation of its unity and unity in its nearby region, which has witnessed many turmoil and conflicts during the last century, “indicates the extent of its strength and great capabilities.”

He stressed that “the republic, which was reborn under the leadership of the warrior Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, is progressing steadily towards its lofty goals, which include the renaissance, revival, and building of the Turkish nation and state in accordance with the requirements of the modern era.”

– Will of the people

According to Altun, “The goal of Turkish modernity requires a series of political, economic, and legal changes and transformations, as Turkey shows a firm will and desire to achieve these goals, despite attempts to deviate from this path from time to time through internal and external interventions over a century.”

He pointed to the improvement of the level of democratic and legal institutions and standards in the country and the launch of economic and social development initiatives.

In this context, the head of the Communications Department stressed “overcoming the guardianship mechanisms that came into effect from time to time to form an obstacle to the manifestation of national sovereignty in the full sense, through the Turkish people preserving their will at the ballot boxes and in the squares.”

He explained that the most important aspect of the Turkish people’s preservation of their will against attempts to usurp their will is their response to them at the first opportunity through the ballot boxes, and the position they expressed towards the coup attempt on July 15.

He added, “Trust in the will of the people is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for establishing the modern republic, as Turkey must keep pace with the times in terms of economic, legal, and democratic standards.”

He said, “Fair and transparent elections, which are held under the supervision of senior judges and enjoy widespread support from the general public, constitute an important indicator of the standard of democratic transformation in Turkey.”

“Over time, democratic participation and respect for the will of the ballot boxes became more deeply rooted in Turkey,” according to Altun.

On the other hand, Altun stressed the need to “build a prosperous Turkey in its second centenary after it completed in its first century investments in infrastructure and in the areas of culture and political and legal norms.”

He stressed that Turkey’s achievements in the field of infrastructure in recent years under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have become “the cornerstone of a prosperous Turkey.”

He explained that the most important result of investments in infrastructure at the local level is an increase in social welfare, as, according to Altun, Turkey will be able to benefit from the advantages granted to it by its strategic location thanks to these investments.

“In a world where international trade and production centers and especially supply chains are rapidly changing and transforming, Turkey’s strategic geopolitical position is attracting more attention from all over the world,” Altun added.

– Turkey is a decision-maker and a leading country in its region

He stressed that “a strong Turkey with advanced infrastructure will have a greater role in the region, and with the achievements it has achieved in recent years, Turkey has gained respect in international balances, and continues successfully in decision-making on regional issues, especially in the Middle East and the Caucasus.”

“An indication of this is the solution-based political position that was recently put forward towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and it highlights the humanitarian dimension of the issue,” Altun stressed.

Regional issues, including Ukraine and the Azerbaijani Karabakh region, also show, according to Altun, that “Turkey has become a decision-maker and a leading country in its region as the republic enters its second century.”

He stressed that international organizations such as the United Nations Security Council “failed to solve global problems and even exacerbated the problems.”

In this context, he stressed the necessity of establishing international organizations in light of the requirements of the new century and the new period, taking into account the new balances.

According to Altun, Turkey is preparing for “multi-polar and multi-party international conditions, in line with President Erdogan’s slogan: The world is greater than five.”

He stressed that Turkey effectively uses modern tools for interaction between countries, such as public diplomacy, as well as humanitarian and diplomatic channels to solve global and regional problems.

The post Altun: Turkey has become a leading country and decision-maker appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his country and European countries are interested in the project of establishing an electronic platform for natural gas trade in Turkey.

Putin explained in a press statement on Wednesday that the natural gas center to be established in Turkey has received great interest from Azerbaijan.

He pointed out that it is possible that other countries will join the project as work progresses on it, saying: “Our Turkish friends, we and everyone who wants to obtain Russian resources in Europe are interested in this project.”

He stated that they are continuing to deliver natural gas effectively to Turkey through the “Turkish Torrent” and “Blue Stream” projects, and that the infrastructure can be expanded in the future.

Last September, the idea of the natural gas center project to be established in Turkey was accelerated during the meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in the city of Sochi.

Turkey has an important natural gas infrastructure through the Blue Stream (through the Black Sea), Turkish Stream and TANAP pipelines (to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe via Anatolia).

The post Putin: Russian and European interest in gas trade in Turkey appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday condemned the European Parliament’s decision regarding the Azerbaijani Karabakh region.

This came in a statement issued by the Ministry regarding a resolution adopted by the European Parliament today under the title “The situation in Karabakh after the Azerbaijani attack and the continuing Azerbaijani threats against Armenia.”

The statement stressed that the aforementioned “non-binding” decision is an example of “irresponsibility, prejudice, bias and ignorance.”

The Foreign Ministry expressed its “condemnation of the decision based on the speech of some members of Parliament with a populist and discriminatory approach who have been seeking for years to make decisions full of false accusations and allegations against Turkey.”

The statement explained that “European politics, which is witnessing an increasing rise in populism, racism, Islamophobia, and opposition to multiculturalism and integration, reveals itself with all its transgressions in the European Parliament in its current composition.”

The Foreign Ministry expressed its hope that the European Parliament, whose term will end soon, will have a new composition that includes representatives committed to the basic values of the European Union.

The statement stressed that Turkey is making intense efforts to establish lasting peace, stability and prosperity in the South Caucasus.

It stressed that Turkey, which is facilitating the normalization process with Armenia and contributing significantly to the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, is striving with all its capabilities to establish peace and brotherhood, within the framework of international law, in all areas of conflict and humanitarian crises, including the Ukrainian war.

It stressed that Turkey, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has become a major player with weight and is sought after in crises.

It stated that “Turkey considers such an irresponsible decision to be a systematic weakness on the part of the European Parliament and that it does not take it seriously.”

The post Condemning the European Parliament’s decision on “Karabakh” appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed on Monday the importance of the “Igdir-Nakhchivan” gas pipeline project in terms of strengthening his country’s partnership with Azerbaijan and contributing to the security of energy supplies in Europe.

This came in a press conference held with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev following the laying of the foundation stone for the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline and the signing ceremony of a number of agreements in the Supreme Council (Parliament) of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan.

Erdogan indicated that he proudly sees the development that Nakhchivan has witnessed since his last visit to it in 2008, stressing that the relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan are unparalleled in the world.

He stressed that they are continuing their efforts to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields under the slogan “One People, Two States.”

He pointed out that Nakhchivan has great potential in terms of economy, transportation and power lines, adding: “With the establishment of regional transmission lines, we will have the opportunity to fully activate this potential.”

He added: “The importance of the international Middle Corridor between East and West has been better understood as a result of the Corona epidemic and the wars in our region, and on this occasion, the Igdir-Nakhchivan gas pipeline will strengthen our partnership with Azerbaijan in the field of energy and will also contribute to the security of energy supplies in Europe.”

He pointed out that the two sides signed today the Kars-Nakhchivan railway project, in addition to agreements in the fields of collective housing and electric energy.

He also stated that, following the press conference, they will open the military maintenance factory that Turkey renovated, indicating that the project will contribute greatly to cooperation between the two sides in defense industries.

President Erdogan touched on the operation carried out by Azerbaijan against terrorism in the Karabakh region recently, explaining that Baku was forced to carry out the operation on its sovereign territory.

He noted that “the completion of the operation in a short time while showing the utmost concern for the rights of civilians is a source of pride.”

He said: “I pray to God for mercy for our brothers who were martyred during the operation, and I condole their relatives and wish a speedy recovery for the injured.”

He added: “I wholeheartedly congratulate the victorious Azerbaijani army for its historic success and humanitarian stance towards civilians.”

He continued: “With the recent victory (the operation against terrorism in Karabakh), new windows of opportunity have opened for comprehensive normalization in the region,” stressing the importance of exploiting this opportunity.

President Erdogan called on Armenia to shake the hand of peace extended to it and take sincere steps to bring peace to the region.

On September 19, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced in a statement the launch of an anti-terrorism operation “with the aim of establishing constitutional order in the Karabakh region.”

One day later, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced that representatives of the Armenian population in Karabakh had submitted a request through the Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the region, according to which an agreement was reached for Baku to stop its operation against terrorism in the region and abandon the illegal Armenian armed groups and the Armenian armed forces present in Karabakh. To give up its weapons and evacuate its military sites.

On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani army launched an operation to liberate its occupied territories in Karabakh, and after fierce battles that lasted 44 days, Azerbaijan and Armenia reached a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement stipulating that Baku would regain control over its occupied territories.​​​​​​

The post “Igdir-Nakhchivan” gas contributes to Europe’s energy security appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed his thanks to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his support for Azerbaijan in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly at its 78th session.

In his account on the “X” website, Aliyev said: “As we have always known, sister Turkey today also stood with Azerbaijan and supported our just cause.”

He stressed that Turkey and Azerbaijan have always stood together “in times of hardship and in times of prosperity.”

He praised the strategic relations between the two countries.

In the speech delivered by the Turkish President on Tuesday before the General Assembly, he said: “As everyone now acknowledges, Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory. It is absolutely unacceptable to impose a situation other than this.”

Earlier Tuesday, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense announced the launch of an anti-terrorism operation with the aim of establishing constitutional order in the Karabakh region.

A statement issued by the ministry stated that tension had escalated due to illegal forces affiliated with Armenia in the Azerbaijani Karabakh region systematically firing at Azerbaijani army positions in the past few months and continuing to plant mines and carry out fortification work.

On September 27, 2020, the Azerbaijani army launched an operation to liberate its occupied territories in Karabakh, and after fierce battles that lasted 44 days, Azerbaijan and Armenia reached a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement stipulating that Baku would regain control over its occupied territories.​​​​​​

The post Aliyev thanks Erdogan for supporting Azerbaijan before the UN appeared first on Move 2 Turkey.