Erdogan in Prague: Any peace is better than war
“Turkey is a partner that all countries can trust. Above all, Russia and Ukraine. I still believe that the current conflict must end. What peace is better than war,” Erdogan said, noting that European partners appreciated Turkey’s achievements in diplomacy since the start of the war – for example, negotiating the export of Ukrainian grain.
“Since the first day of the war, we have invested a lot of effort to prevent bloodshed and loss of life as much as possible. A fair peace will never have losers,” he added.
Breakthrough negotiations of archenemies. The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Prague
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Erdogan shortly before the press conference shortly before the hour Petrem exactly one hour with the Czech Prime Minister Fiala and the European Commission Ursula von Leyen. They discussed EU relations with Turkey, Ukraine, Russia, sanctions and gas extraction in the Black Sea.
At a press conference, the Turkish president answered the question that his country is irreplaceable especially in terms of security and energy supplies to Europe.
He added that the European Union should focus on greater accessibility between the Union and Turkey. But according to him, some countries throw sticks under Turkey’s feet, and although he did not name, it was clear that he meant Greece.
Strained relations with Greece
It is precisely between Greece and Turkey that there has been tension in recent weeks over the Aegean Sea. Greece claims that the other side is paying statements and making it unacceptable, challenging Greece’s sovereignty in the Aegean Sea.
According to Turkey, on the other hand, Athens occupies the demilitarized islands in the Aegean Sea.
PHOTO: Heads of state came to Prague, the police closed the airport terminal and the area around Prague Castle
Homemade
Erdogan even revealed that during his closing speech at the informal summit on Thursday, “one unnamed person got up and had to leave the room because I spoke too harshly.” He was referring to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Armenia and Azerbaijan must grow up
He also went back to his statement in September, when he said that Greece needs to think about what kind of relations it wants with Turkey. “As I say, one night we can come,” he hinted at a possible military attack at the time.
“I wasn’t just talking about Greece, but about all the countries that want to threaten us. They (the Greeks) understand well what I meant. We don’t want escalation with anyone, but we are fighting for Turkish interests,” he said at a conference in Prague.
The Turkish president was also at a loss for words regarding the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. In Prague, Erdogan held talks with the representatives of both countries.
Borrell: Europe is drawing up a new security policy in Prague. Without Russia
Europe
“And we talk all the time. I believe that we will achieve normalization of relations in our region. We just expect both parties to mature. When peace is signed, there will be no problem on our side and we will open the borders,” Erdogan said.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have long been hostile countries, between which fierce fighting broke out in September, claiming hundreds of lives on both sides.
Three attempts to normalize relations failed because Turkey supported Azerbaijan.
But after 2020, when Armenia lost the conflict with Azerbaijan and lost the district around Nagorno-Karabakh, diplomatic relations between Turkey and Armenians began to improve.