The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the arrest of 7 people while trying to cross the country’s borders illegally, including two who belong to two terrorist organizations.

The ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that 7 people tried to cross the border, some from Turkey to Greece and others from Syria to Turkey.

It was reported that Border Guard forces arrested the aforementioned persons.

She also indicated that investigations revealed that one of those arrested belonged to the “Gulen” terrorist organization and another belonged to the “PKK/PYD” terrorist organization.

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The Turkish oil refinery company “Tupras” announced on Thursday that it had lost contact with the “St. Nicholas” ship, which transports 140,000 tons of Iraqi crude oil, stressing that the incident would not affect the company’s refining operations.

The company (privately) said in a statement that the ship carrying the Marshall Islands flag was transporting points from the ports of the Iraqi city of Basra before communication with it was cut off off the coast of Oman.

The company also confirmed that there were no Turkish citizens among the crew of the ship owned by the Greek company Empire Navigation.

It stressed that all oil refining operations are continuing in its refineries as planned, and the accident has no impact on the company’s operations.

The statement did not direct the accusation against any party, but it coincides with reports of gunmen, likely Iranian soldiers, seizing an oil tanker in the Sea of Oman.

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The investment offices of Turkey and Greece agreed to work to increase mutual investments between the two countries.

In order to achieve this goal, the Turkish Presidency’s Investment Office concluded a memorandum of understanding with its Greek counterpart, “Enterprise Greece,” during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Athens on Thursday.

On Sunday, quoting informed sources in the Turkish Investment Office, the two countries “opened the doors to a new era of cooperation in the field of direct international investments through a memorandum of understanding.”

The memorandum stipulates increasing mutual investments and cooperation between companies of the two countries in third countries.

Within the framework of the memorandum, cooperation in mutual investments will be developed to serve the interests of both parties, and direct communication between the Turkish and Greek business worlds will be enhanced.

Investments that provide mutual benefit will be encouraged, an enabling environment for investment will be created, and relevant steps will be accelerated.

The memorandum also stipulates the exchange of information on the conditions for carrying out investment activities and informing investors from both countries about exhibitions and business meetings aimed at promoting economic development.

In press statements on board the plane during his return from Athens, which he visited on Thursday, President Erdogan expressed his belief that his visit to Greece will open a new page in relations between the two countries.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that his country aims to reach $10 billion in trade with Greece.

This came during his meeting with his Greek counterpart, Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, prior to their discussions in Athens.

Erdogan added: “I believe that the fifth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Council will be a way to strengthen and continue the new era between Turkey and Greece.”

He added: “We aim to raise the volume of our trade with Greece from $5.5 billion to $10 billion, and we will discuss the steps we can take in this regard and in what areas.”

The Turkish President expressed his happiness at visiting Athens, 6 years after his last visit.

Earlier Thursday, Erdogan arrived in the Greek capital, Athens, as part of an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The two leaders are expected to chair the fifth meeting of the high-level Turkish-Greek Cooperation Council.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country has never viewed its neighbor Greece as an enemy or adversary, and that there are no unsolvable problems with its neighbors.

This came in an interview with the Greek newspaper Kathimerini regarding relations between Ankara and Athens, ahead of an official visit he intends to make to Greece tomorrow, Thursday, December 7.

Erdogan referred to many outstanding issues between Turkey and Greece, stressing that the two countries are aware of this, but whether or not to allow these problems to raise tension between the two governments and the two peoples is also in the hands of the two countries.

He explained that in this context he recently spoke about “opening a new page” and the “win-win” principle in relations between Turkey and Greece.

He stressed that the “win-win” principle lies at the core of Turkey’s approach to international relations and diplomacy.

Erdogan stressed that addressing differences through dialogue and meeting on common ground will benefit everyone.

He pointed out that Turkey and Greece have recently gained good momentum regarding shaping their relations within the framework of this approach.

He added: “The channels of dialogue between us are open and operating at all levels, and our mutual visits are also intense. We have the desire to develop our cooperation in many important areas for our two countries and our region on the basis of mutual trust.”

He continued: “Now, it is the responsibility of both parties to strengthen this approach, institutionalize it, and advance it further.”

He expressed his belief that “Mr. (Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos) Mitsotakis also has the same will.”

Erdogan stated that this common intention will be clearly recorded thanks to the declaration on friendly relations and good neighborliness scheduled to be signed in Athens tomorrow, Thursday.

He stressed that Turkey has never viewed its neighbor Greece as an enemy or adversary. “We, like all countries, need friends, not enemies.”

Erdogan added: “I say it frequently; we believe that we do not have any insurmountable problems with our neighbors, especially Greece.”

He said: “I think what has changed recently is that the Greek side reconsidered its point of view towards us and began to understand that we are a people who never reject the hand of friendship extended to them.”

He stressed that Turkey never hesitates to respond to attempts to target the security of its people, the integrity of its territory, and its national interests, and at the same time it is open to enhancing cooperation and friendship.

He pointed out that Mitsotakis understood this matter and was able to see Turkey’s sincere desire to overcome existing problems and improve relations with Greece.

Erdogan explained that he was happy to observe a similar approach in Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis.

Erdogan added that there are many problems between the two countries in addition to the issue of the continental shelf, and that they must be viewed together in one package.

He stressed that addressing issues selectively, talking about some and leaving others is not a correct approach because they are all interconnected.

He continued: “We must not leave any problems behind when we resort to international justice, but above all we must speak about all our problems with courage and direct public opinion correctly.”

He said that if Greece offered a similar approach to Turkey, away from foreign interference, a good start could be made towards building a peaceful future for both countries.

Regarding cooperation in the field of energy, Erdogan stressed that there are opportunities and potentials for cooperation between the two countries in the Mediterranean, and that benefiting from them can contribute to the energy security of the countries of the region and the resolution of political issues.

He stressed that attempts to exploit the potential here politically will bring with it the risk of being unable to use the region’s potential energy resources.

The Turkish President added: “We believe that energy is an element of cooperation and common profit between all countries and societies, and we want to resolve differences through dialogue. We prefer cooperation and are ready for it.”

He continued: “For this reason, I had twice proposed organizing a comprehensive conference on the opportunities available in the eastern Mediterranean, but it is unfortunate that the European Union at the forefront has remained silent about this matter, and silence does not solve problems.”

He added: “The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus also proposed that the reserves be operated jointly and revenues be shared until a comprehensive solution is reached on the island, and we support this proposal.”

He said: “What prevents the establishment of cooperation between the two parts of the island at a time when other countries in the region are moving in this direction?”

He also pointed out that there are many issues on which the two countries can cooperate in the Aegean Sea, adding: “Everything for peace and prosperity for our peoples and future generations.”

He continued that the Turkish Republic, which was established on the foundations of tolerance and embracing other cultures, continues to this day to work with a system that protects endowment institutions and their rights and transfers them to the future, pointing out that the endowment that owns the Hagia Sophia Mosque still exists today.

Regarding illegal immigration, Erdogan pointed to the increase in the migration movement in the world for several reasons, most notably political instability, which has led to an increase in the spread of criminal networks that exploit this and achieve very high profits from illegal immigration.

He added: “I say it again that no country can combat illegal immigration alone,” noting that it is a common test for countries that requires joint efforts.

He stressed the need for the European Union to support Turkey in this regard, stressing that it is necessary to share burdens and responsibilities and take joint steps to prevent migration at its source.

He stressed that the fight against migration should not be limited to cooperation between Turkey and Greece in the Aegean Sea, but rather there is a need for a broad struggle that requires the participation of the entire international community.

We have become the voice of justice and conscience in international relations

President Erdogan pointed out that Turkey and Greece joined NATO together 71 years ago, pointing out that the criterion of being Western or European is not enough to join the European Union.

He explained that Turkey is a founding member of many international organizations such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

He stressed that Turkey always stands on the side of justice and the voice of conscience in international relations, stressing that one of his country’s most prominent goals is to stand in the right place throughout history.

He added that Turkey’s standing by the Palestinian people who are being subjected to persecution and inhuman treatment, and its criticism of Israel for violating international law, international humanitarian law, and human rights, are considered a natural necessity for its goal (to stand in the right place throughout history).

He pointed out that some European countries have begun to take increasingly similar positions.

He stressed that “instead of discussing Turkey’s orientations and affiliation, we should discuss the fact that some Western countries sometimes ignore the values that they strongly defend.”

He continued, “The silence on the brutality in Gaza is the most prominent example of this. In fact, by opposing the genocide in Gaza, we are also defending the basic values of Western society.”

He added: “The basic rights of the people of Gaza of all ages are being violated. Where are the values of Western civilization in terms of silence about blatant human rights violations, ignoring people’s property rights, systematically confiscating their homes and lands, and depriving Palestinians of their right to determine their future?”

He added: “Is bombing hospitals, shooting schools, refugee camps, markets, and killing civilians consistent with Western values? Is it acceptable for the West to ask people in Gaza to ‘go south’ and drop bombs on those who go there?”

President Erdogan concluded by saying: “Now I ask: Is Turkey the one who belongs to the West or the Western countries that are deliberately silent about everything that is happening in Gaza?”

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “is no longer someone we can talk to in any way.”

This came in statements to reporters on board the plane during his return from Kazakhstan following his participation in the summit of the Turkish Organization of States on Friday.

President Erdogan pointed out that “Netanyahu is personally primarily responsible” for the attacks on Gaza, and “the Israeli interior is currently witnessing statements against him.”

He continued, “Netanyahu is a person who also arouses the anger of the Israeli people. He has lost the support of his citizens and is seeking to garner support for the massacres by using religious expressions.”

He added, “Netanyahu is no longer someone we can talk to in any way. We erased him and cast him aside.”

He continued: “Israel has taken a very wrong step. I can say that it has darkened its future with this step. This is a situation that not only disturbs Israel, but also its extensions abroad, so what it must do is to retract this step and stop it.”

In response to a question about the intense diplomatic movement he is leading to stop the Israeli attacks on Gaza, Erdogan indicated that they have held many meetings in this regard.

He stated that Turkey will participate in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, this November.

He said in the same context, “We also have a visit to Uzbekistan next week. These are important visits at a very critical time. Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi will come (to Turkey) at the end of this month and we will meet him.”

He added, “I attach importance to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Riyadh. We will press for a ceasefire.”

The Turkish President stressed the importance of the position of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation countries in this regard.

Erdogan pointed out that he seeks to “stop the bloodshed” by holding meetings with everyone, which “will continue in the coming days as well.”

He pointed out that the international community, “unable to curb Israel’s lawless approach, primarily ignores its principles.”

He continued, “As if ignoring the massacre of the Palestinians is not enough, they are entering into an embrace race with Israel and encouraging it to kill more children.”

He said: “Western countries that bow their heads when reminded of previous massacres that they turned a blind eye to will be crushed under the shame of their positions regarding the Gaza massacres.”

Erdogan asked, “We shout: Where is justice? Where are the international organizations that were established to maintain peace? Where are the human rights defenders?”

He said, “The world order and international law now face a difficult test.”

He continued: “If Israel is not stopped and held accountable for its actions, people’s already diminished confidence in international law and the global order will disappear. We will do our best to implement international law and punish war crimes.”

Erdogan pointed out that “the human tragedy in the occupied Palestinian territories, especially Gaza, was on the agenda of the Turkish Organization of States summit.”

He added, “We exchanged views on how to stop the bloodshed and contribute to lasting peace.”

He reiterated his emphasis that Turkey can play the role of a guarantor state in Gaza within the framework of the guarantors mechanism proposed by Ankara.

Erdogan said, “If Greece is a guarantor state in Cyprus, and Britain is as well, and Turkey is also a guarantor state of course, then why is there not a similar mechanism in Gaza?”

He continued, “We, as Turkey, must assume a leadership role in this regard, and this will be a development that will shape history, the present, and the future.”

President Erdogan noted that nearly a month had passed since the attacks began and said, “At the present time, we see that the developments will move the situation further against Israel.”

He pointed out that “Israel did not take this brutal step relying only on its strength, but also on Western support.”

He added that “the United States should be evaluated as part of the West.”

He continued, “The entire West, especially the United States, currently stands with Israel.”

Erdogan stressed Turkey’s desire “to see Gaza as a region enjoying tranquility as an integral part of the independent, geographically integrated State of Palestine on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

He added, “All our efforts are directed toward Gaza and a Palestine that enjoys tranquility, where people are not killed or displaced, and hospitals, streets, schools, and places of worship are not bombed.”

The Turkish President said that he informed all the leaders he spoke with that “unless a just and lasting peace is established in the region, it will not enjoy calm.”

He pointed out that “even countries that turn a blind eye to Israel’s massacres and stand behind them and do not hesitate to violate the values they defend also realize this.”

Erdogan affirmed Turkey’s support for initiatives that bring stability and peace to the region, saying, “We do not support plans that target the lives of Palestinians and seek to remove them from the stage of history.”

He added, “Formulas that would make Israel, which kills civilians without batting an eyelid and rains bombs on infants and wounded in hospitals, more reckless, are not a solution for us, but rather are the source of the absence of a solution.”

Erdogan criticized “some countries that tolerate elements of terrorist organizations under the guise of freedom of expression.”

He said that these countries (he did not name them) “tried to ban the Palestinian flag, which is a symbol of a people.”

He continued: “Despite all the bans and obstacles on the streets of Europe, people are demanding justice in the squares.”

He called on the world to “hear the cries of Palestinian children.”

He added, “We strive for Palestinian children to be able to live in peace like other children in the world and to live in a better world without worrying about their security.”

He continued, “The world cannot ignore their (children’s) desire to live freely and in peace in their land. We will continue to remind them of this and extend a helping hand to them.”

The Turkish President stressed that “extending a helping hand to these innocent and persecuted people is a debt on our shoulders and a humanitarian duty.”

He added: “Israel, which is deliberately trying to cause the collapse of the health system in Gaza, and the international community, which turns a blind eye to injustice, have left civilians, the sick, and infants (in Gaza) to die.”

He pointed out that the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are getting worse, and said, “Our priority now is for all aid sent to Gaza to arrive, but Israel does not allow that.”

He continued: “We have made all our preparations, from establishing field hospitals to sending hospital ships to treat patients. We are even continuing our work on transporting the wounded and sick to Turkey. We will not leave Gaza alone and desperate.”

He stated, “The vote at the United Nations (on the Israeli attacks on Gaza) was very important. In fact, this vote was like a school certificate that revealed Israel’s failure and failure.”

At the end of last October, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on Gaza calling for an immediate and sustainable humanitarian truce. 120 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 14 opposed it, while 45 countries abstained from voting.

Erdogan criticized the European Union’s position on the Israeli attacks on Gaza, saying that it “played a strange and very inconsistent role during this period and did not adopt a fair approach.”

He asked, “What is the European Union’s plan to resolve the (Palestinian-Israeli) crisis?”

He pointed out that Europe is currently witnessing the writing of “the history of double standards, unprincipledness and illegality.”

In a related context, Erdogan stressed that “Israeli arrogance has no origin in any of the divine religions.”

Addressing Netanyahu, he added, “What you are doing has nothing to do with what was stated in the Bible or what was stated in the Torah, and these two books or the Psalms do not accept it.”

Erdogan confirmed that “Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin is communicating with the Israeli and Palestinian sides and with Hamas as well.”

He revealed that there is no communication between him and Netanyahu currently.

He explained that “it is not included in international diplomacy to completely sever relations (between countries).”

He stated that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the head of the Intelligence Service, and other relevant ministers in Turkey will continue to use all the capabilities offered to them by diplomacy.

He stressed that Turkey’s main goal is “establishing lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian issue.”

He pointed out that they continue to put forward initiatives in this regard and their determination to do what is necessary to “stop the bloodshed.”

Erdogan said, “Our goal is to reach a lasting and sustainable peace that will relieve our region and our country. We are launching our calls to secure this. We want to bring all parties together in a conference, for example.”

Erdogan concluded by saying, “Countries are capable of ending the ongoing war in Gaza, but the people who will end this war are the consciences of the people.”

On the other hand, Erdogan said that he received a letter of thanks a few days ago “from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after he signed the protocol for Sweden’s accession to the alliance and sent it to the Turkish Parliament.”

Recently, the Turkish President signed the protocol on Sweden’s accession to the alliance and it was referred to Parliament.

In mid-July, the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, hosted a tripartite meeting that included President Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Hilmar Kristersson, and Stoltenberg.

Following the meeting, a tripartite statement confirmed that Ankara would refer Sweden’s NATO accession protocols to Parliament for ratification and that Stockholm would support efforts to revive Turkey’s accession process to the European Union.​​​​​​

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Turkey intends to export two million cubic meters of natural gas daily to Moldova, starting from the beginning of next October.

The Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Company (BOTAŞ) announced the signing of an agreement to export natural gas with the “East Gas Energy Trading” company, which plays an active role in the region, especially in the energy market in Moldova.

The company indicated in a statement published on Thursday that the signing of the agreement took place during a ceremony held today by the Chairman of its Board of Directors and General Manager, Burhan Ozcan, and the General Manager of East Gas Energy Trading, Nikolay Gaborak.

The statement stated that the process of supplying Moldova with two million cubic meters of natural gas per day will begin as of next October 1 through designated pipelines.

The Turkish company has previously signed similar important agreements to export natural gas with Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, and is continuing talks with other parties.

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Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the deportation of 42,875 irregular immigrants between June 1 and September 22 of this year.

This came in response to journalists’ questions following a Turkish government meeting in the presidential complex in the capital, Ankara.

He pointed out that 97,363 irregular immigrants were arrested since he assumed his duties in early June until September 22.

He pointed out that 105,488 foreigners left the country whose visas and residency expired.

He stated that the previous numbers do not include cross-border infiltration attempts by the Ministry of Defense, which numbered 70,796.

Regarding the countries from which most irregular migrants come, the minister stated that they are coming across the Iranian border from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

In this context, Yerlikaya reported that the Ministry of Interior will begin activating the application of mobile immigration offices throughout Turkey, starting next November 1.

He touched on the importance of the application by saying: “We will check people’s identities everywhere, including football matches. However, if we take a tourist or a foreigner who has a residence permit and does not have an identity card or a passport, we will not send him to the deportation centers. We succeeded in that through the application.” The experimental trial, which lasted 9 weeks in Istanbul.

He continued: “We need to move keeping in mind the zero error, because we are a tourist country.”

Regarding the workers in the mobile immigration offices, Yerlikaya said: “Our immigration experts and translators work at the center, who will provide communication with foreigners.”

In another context, Yerlikaya revealed a visit by Bulgarian Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov to Turkey on October 10.

He pointed to mutual cooperation between Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece to combat irregular migration by land and sea.

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Turkey is preparing to export up to 4 million cubic meters of natural gas per day to Romania, starting from the beginning of next October.

The Turkish Petroleum Pipeline Company “BOTAŞ” announced in a statement on Wednesday the signing of an “important agreement” with OMV Petrom, one of the largest energy companies in the region.

The company said that the agreement allows Romania to be supplied with up to 4 million cubic meters of natural gas per day through dedicated pipelines.

It indicated that the export of natural gas will begin as of October 1, 2023 within the framework of the agreement, the term of which expires on March 31, 2025.

According to the statement, the two sides also agreed to develop cooperation in the fields of transportation, storage, production, and green energy technologies, in addition to natural gas trade.

By adding Romania to the countries that supply it with gas, BOTAŞ strengthens its contribution to ensuring the security of energy supplies and its diversification in neighboring markets and Europe.

The Turkish company has previously signed similar important agreements to export natural gas with Greece, Bulgaria and Hungary, and is continuing talks with other parties in this regard.

The statement stressed that BOTAŞ is moving forward with confident steps towards achieving its goals within the framework of the “Century of Turkey” vision.

It explained that the company aims to be among the top 10 exporting companies in Turkey during the next three years.

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On Sunday, the Greek Cypriot administration appealed to the countries of the region to combat a fire that broke out again in a forest near the village of Alasa, Limassol district.

According to news circulating in the Romanian media, a fire broke out again in a forest near the village of Alasa, which broke out on Thursday and was extinguished.

Operations are continuing by land and air to extinguish the fire, which has expanded due to the wind and is now threatening nearby residential areas.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Limpiotis said that the Foreign Ministry had contacted Israel, Lebanon, Egypt and Greece to request help.

He pointed out that the 3 helicopters that Jordan sent to the region are actively participating in fighting the fire.

He stated that investigations are underway into the reasons for the renewed outbreak of the fire after it was extinguished.

It is noteworthy that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, mediated by the United Nations, after the outbreak of the fire on Friday, August 5, offered assistance to the administration of southern Greek Cyprus, which expressed its thanks to the Turkish side and indicated that there was no need for assistance because the fire had been extinguished.

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