403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
Erdogan Says SCO Bid Will Not Mean Turning From West
(MENAFN) Türkiye’s potential membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) would not signal a break with the West, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday, as Ankara seeks to expand its strategic and economic partnerships across both East and West.
Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential plane after returning from the SCO Heads of State Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan said Türkiye was pursuing a broad foreign policy designed to strengthen its influence on multiple fronts.
"Our goal is to increase our own weight with a 360-degree vision," he said.
Erdogan said the Bishkek summit underscored Ankara’s determination to broaden its economic, political and strategic options. Türkiye maintains commercial and economic ties with SCO members across a region spanning China, Central Asia, Russia and South Asia, he said.
He added that Türkiye’s expanding engagement with the organization reflected its multidimensional foreign policy and its efforts to deepen relations across different geopolitical blocs.
"Türkiye is a country that can develop balanced relations with both the West and the East and deepen its ties accordingly," he said, adding that Ankara sees further opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the SCO.
Russia-Ukraine war
Erdogan said Türkiye and Russian President Vladimir Putin share an interest in bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to an end through peace negotiations.
He described his meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit as "very productive" and held in a "very sincere atmosphere," saying the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the conflict.
"We want a peace process between Russia and Ukraine to take place as soon as possible and for peace to prevail in the region," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president argued that the war had delivered no meaningful benefit to the region, the wider world or the countries directly involved. He said Putin also favored ending the conflict.
"I told Mr. Putin that we are ready to do everything we can for peace. It is a fact that peace, not war, will win. We are ready to make every effort for this," he added.
Erdogan also highlighted the need to protect civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea, warning that the conflict should not escalate to a level that endangers civilians or disrupts commercial shipping.
Türkiye’s concern, he said, covers all civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea rather than only vessels flying the Turkish flag or operated by Turkish companies.
"We need a mechanism that will permanently ensure the security of commercial maritime transportation in the Black Sea," Erdogan said.
He further warned that another grain crisis could emerge, particularly affecting African countries, and called for preventive action before the situation worsens.
F-35 talks and KAAN fighter
On defense cooperation with the United States, Erdogan said Türkiye continues to negotiate its potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program.
He noted that Türkiye had previously been a partner in the program and had contributed substantially to its development.
"We are continuing our talks on Türkiye's re-inclusion in the program. Once the processes in the US are completed, this issue will be behind us," he said.
Erdogan nevertheless emphasized that Ankara would continue pursuing independent defense projects, including its domestically developed KAAN fighter and national air defense systems.
"We are not giving up on KAAN or developing our own air defense systems. We are increasing Türkiye's options. This is the roadmap of a strong Türkiye," he said.
Mecca Defense Alliance
Erdogan also discussed the Mecca Defense Alliance, saying the partnership was created to strengthen stability and security across the region.
He described the alliance’s first meeting of its strategic, political and military committee in Istanbul as "very important." Foreign and defense ministers and military chiefs from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan met to establish the framework and begin implementing the alliance, he said.
The talks included plans to create and operationalize a permanent secretariat, alongside discussions on political and military matters.
The three countries also examined defense industry cooperation and military coordination, including training, standardization and the exchange of information on threats, military capabilities and capacities.
Erdogan said the participants agreed on timelines and procedures for implementing those measures.
"There are very few countries that openly oppose this alliance, but there are also countries that oppose it behind the scenes," he said. “The balance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye makes it difficult for many actors to openly criticize this alliance.”
"This alliance was established for stability and security in our region. We will continue on our path together with our brothers, growing stronger," he added.
Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential plane after returning from the SCO Heads of State Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan said Türkiye was pursuing a broad foreign policy designed to strengthen its influence on multiple fronts.
"Our goal is to increase our own weight with a 360-degree vision," he said.
Erdogan said the Bishkek summit underscored Ankara’s determination to broaden its economic, political and strategic options. Türkiye maintains commercial and economic ties with SCO members across a region spanning China, Central Asia, Russia and South Asia, he said.
He added that Türkiye’s expanding engagement with the organization reflected its multidimensional foreign policy and its efforts to deepen relations across different geopolitical blocs.
"Türkiye is a country that can develop balanced relations with both the West and the East and deepen its ties accordingly," he said, adding that Ankara sees further opportunities to strengthen cooperation with the SCO.
Russia-Ukraine war
Erdogan said Türkiye and Russian President Vladimir Putin share an interest in bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to an end through peace negotiations.
He described his meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the Bishkek summit as "very productive" and held in a "very sincere atmosphere," saying the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the conflict.
"We want a peace process between Russia and Ukraine to take place as soon as possible and for peace to prevail in the region," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president argued that the war had delivered no meaningful benefit to the region, the wider world or the countries directly involved. He said Putin also favored ending the conflict.
"I told Mr. Putin that we are ready to do everything we can for peace. It is a fact that peace, not war, will win. We are ready to make every effort for this," he added.
Erdogan also highlighted the need to protect civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea, warning that the conflict should not escalate to a level that endangers civilians or disrupts commercial shipping.
Türkiye’s concern, he said, covers all civilian maritime traffic in the Black Sea rather than only vessels flying the Turkish flag or operated by Turkish companies.
"We need a mechanism that will permanently ensure the security of commercial maritime transportation in the Black Sea," Erdogan said.
He further warned that another grain crisis could emerge, particularly affecting African countries, and called for preventive action before the situation worsens.
F-35 talks and KAAN fighter
On defense cooperation with the United States, Erdogan said Türkiye continues to negotiate its potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program.
He noted that Türkiye had previously been a partner in the program and had contributed substantially to its development.
"We are continuing our talks on Türkiye's re-inclusion in the program. Once the processes in the US are completed, this issue will be behind us," he said.
Erdogan nevertheless emphasized that Ankara would continue pursuing independent defense projects, including its domestically developed KAAN fighter and national air defense systems.
"We are not giving up on KAAN or developing our own air defense systems. We are increasing Türkiye's options. This is the roadmap of a strong Türkiye," he said.
Mecca Defense Alliance
Erdogan also discussed the Mecca Defense Alliance, saying the partnership was created to strengthen stability and security across the region.
He described the alliance’s first meeting of its strategic, political and military committee in Istanbul as "very important." Foreign and defense ministers and military chiefs from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan met to establish the framework and begin implementing the alliance, he said.
The talks included plans to create and operationalize a permanent secretariat, alongside discussions on political and military matters.
The three countries also examined defense industry cooperation and military coordination, including training, standardization and the exchange of information on threats, military capabilities and capacities.
Erdogan said the participants agreed on timelines and procedures for implementing those measures.
"There are very few countries that openly oppose this alliance, but there are also countries that oppose it behind the scenes," he said. “The balance between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye makes it difficult for many actors to openly criticize this alliance.”
"This alliance was established for stability and security in our region. We will continue on our path together with our brothers, growing stronger," he added.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any
responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos,
licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues
related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Comments
No comment