Erdoğan: Those responsible for the fund investigation will be held accountable, made statements on his visit to the USA and UN reform

"SORUMLULUĞU OLAN KİM VARSA HESAP VERECEK"

Answering the question about the fund investigation, which has been on the agenda lately, President Erdoğan said that there is no risk to the financial system or the Turkish economy. Erdoğan said, "Anyone who is responsible will be held accountable before the law. There should not be the slightest hesitation on this issue."

Erdoğan's statements about the fund investigation are as follows:

"We are talking about a problem that occurs in a limited area of the capital markets, in a certain number of funds. In other words, there is no risk to either our financial system or the Turkish economy. It would be an injustice to the Turkish Stock Exchange to portray this as a problem for the entire market. All necessary steps are being taken and will be taken within the framework of capital market principles and law. Our relevant institutions are pursuing the issue with determination. Our judiciary has launched a comprehensive investigation in the same way; there have been some detentions and arrests. I would like this to be known: Whoever is responsible is responsible for these. "They will be held accountable before the law. There should not be the slightest hesitation on this issue. No one has the right to get into a race to grab logs from the flood and to make our people uneasy. Of course, it is important that the process be carried out both transparently and extremely sensitively, due to the nature of the capital markets. In addition, we will ensure that whatever measures are needed, including legal and administrative regulations, are implemented."

PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN EVALUATED HIS VISIT TO THE USA

Evaluating his visit to the USA before answering questions, President Erdoğan said:

"We have come to the end of my visit to New York to attend the 81st General Assembly of the United Nations. The General Assembly events, in which more than 130 countries are represented at the level of heads of state and government, are being held this year with the theme of "Rebuilding Trust, Managing Transformation". On the second day of the talks, I addressed the United Nations General Assembly. While emphasizing our country's support for multilateralism in our address, we shared our views on the developments in our geography. A more inclusive, fairer and more effective global economy in five articles We underlined the need for the system. We once again brought the oppression against our Gazan brothers to the agenda of humanity. I explained our approach based on regional ownership in combating the threats we are exposed to. On the same day, I attended the meeting that brought together the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. We expressed our views and suggestions on bringing security and stability to the Middle East. As you know, we, as Turkey, also see the issue of Climate Change Framework. We will host the Conference of the Parties to the Convention in Antalya on November 9-20. We will host 100 thousand participants from all over the world in Antalya. In our General Assembly speech, I also shared the Zero Waste Movement that we initiated with the initiatives of my wife, Emine Erdoğan, and the comprehensive projects carried out by our country, especially in the fields of preventing food waste.

Dear members of the press, we had an intense meeting and contact traffic during our visit to New York. In addition to Secretary General Guterres, who will end his term this year, I met with my counterparts from Vietnam, Libya, Kuwait, Kosovo, Lebanon, Georgia, Qatar, Senegal, the United Kingdom, Japan, Poland, Bangladesh, Armenia, Iraq and Ukraine. During our meetings, we discussed bilateral issues as well as the steps we will take to prevent ongoing instability and conflicts in our immediate surroundings. During our visit to New York, I also met with America's leading business circles and think tanks. In these meetings, I explained the investment and trade opportunities in our country. Today, we also embraced our friends and brothers by participating in the program organized with the participation of the Turkish-American Muslim community. As you know, next year is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations with America. We aim to evaluate this important history between two friendly countries to its fullest extent. We know that Mr. Trump has similar views to us, and we want to make 2027 a reference for Turkish-American relations. With these thoughts, I hope that our visit will be beneficial, and now I give my word to you."

QUESTION: An article of yours was published in Bloomberg. In this article, you wrote that the United Nations needs reform and that this cannot be postponed. This is not the first time you have said this, but in that article you emphasized that Türkiye is ready to take part in this reform of the United Nations. As I understand it, you emphasized that, like the regional United Nations, the problems of each geography are different and that specific solutions should be produced for them. What kind of UN do you envision, sir? What kind of UN do you think?

"Dear friends, first of all, today we are talking about a United Nations in which the will of more than 190 countries is limited by the veto power of 5 countries. It is not possible for this unfair structure to maintain global stability and peace, to adhere to the fundamental principles it has set, and to fulfill its promise to humanity. The issue is not only for Turkey to have a greater say, but also for Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Islamic world, Europe and all other regions to participate in this global system with their own experiences and their own will." It is a matter of fair representation. For this reason, we say: Let's abolish the veto mechanism, let's move from the United Nations model that protects only 5 members to a mechanism that encompasses all members. In the new structure to be established, there should be a more open system in which elected members serve for certain periods of time and those who want to take office must regain the trust of the international community. Because the world should no longer be confined to new walls, but to new ones. It needs bridges.”

QUESTION: You gave your 16th speech at the United Nations General Assembly. From your first speech until today, you have been the voice of the oppressed and the search for a more just world. In your last speech, you said, "I will continue to speak these truths from this platform as long as I live." When we look at the years that have passed and where the world is today, how would you evaluate the long journey from your first speech to today's speech?

"This journey is all about standing tall. Whatever we said and stood when we first took to the rostrum of the United Nations General Assembly, thank God, we are in the same place today. What happened in Syria, Iraq, the Ukrainian-Russian War, Africa, Myanmar and finally Gaza showed again and again the truth I expressed. The foundations of the Ukrainian-Russian War were laid in those years. Many issues in our region grew with the wrong steps taken in those days, and the sparks literally turned into fire. If the world had listened to what we said in those days and precautions had been taken, so many lives would not have been lost. If the United Nations reform had been carried out in those years, it would have been impossible to prevent conflicts and wars in our region and in the world today. The fact that Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas was not present at the United Nations for two consecutive years is a picture that shows how deep the injustice in the international system has become. Our issue is not to be against any country, we are happy to be on the right side of history from those days to these days. "We stopped and did not take a single step that would embarrass our nation. Today, the world is tending to come to where we said it was on the first day."

QUESTION: Ship traffic in Hormuz is decreasing sharply. The sharp decline in the number of ships passing through the region shows that the crisis is no longer just an Iranian issue, but a global energy and trade issue. Does Türkiye have a concrete plan that will lead the USA and Iran to a ceasefire? What do you suggest to the parties?

"The situation in Hormuz shows that this issue is no longer just an issue between Iran and America. We have revealed our stance on this issue in the clearest way possible. We are against the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to ship traffic. It is essential to protect the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Because every tension in the Strait of Hormuz directly affects not only the countries in the region, but also Europe, Asia, energy markets, transportation and the daily lives of millions of people. Recently, commercial ship traffic has dramatically increased." "The decrease clearly reveals the extent of the problem. It is of vital importance for global energy security and international trade. Hormuz should be opened as the key to solving the problems through dialogue and negotiation. We tell all our interlocutors that it is necessary to return to the negotiation ground as soon as possible, not new fronts."

QUESTION: While the world was focused on Hormuz, the war between Russia and Ukraine intensified again in the Black Sea above us. Attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea have also increased again. That's why grain ships are waiting at the ports. Could the establishment of a new security mechanism similar to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was previously built with your initiatives, and the revival of the corridor come to the agenda? Are you hopeful about your talks with the parties on this issue? Did this issue come up in your meeting with Ukrainian leader Zelensky?

"The security issue in the Black Sea is very important for both us and our region. The Black Sea is not a front of this war, it should never be. We explain in detail the need to restore navigation safety in our meetings with the parties. This will have two benefits, ensuring food security and preventing the spread of war. We have clearly declared that we do not accept attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea, no matter who does it, and that we expect the parties to act responsibly. We have now increased our efforts to re-establish the grain corridor. For this, we have increased our diplomatic efforts." "We are also accelerating our steps. I discussed the issue with Ukrainian President Zelenski once again and the response I received from him was positive."

QUESTION: There are various tests regarding the Mecca Defense Alliance at the very beginning of its journey. There is some pressure especially on Saudi Arabia. What would you like to say about the future of the alliance?

"The Mecca Defense Agreement is a strong step taken in the right direction. If you are making such an important initiative in such a difficult geography, it is not surprising that you will encounter some tests. If you say something new, if you put forward a new will, of course there will be those who will be disturbed by it. We are not a state founded yesterday; we are a state that is experienced enough not to fall into provocations or fall into a trap. I have no doubt that we will move forward on our path stronger with the completion of institutionalization works. The foundations of a ground that will produce regional solutions to the problems of the region have been laid. "We have seen together that those who prescribe security for our region often leave more instability behind. This sapling we planted will soon grow and turn into a plane tree. We trust our country and our nation, we trust our brothers."

QUESTION: Last year, there was a meeting here at the UN with the Gulf countries, in which US President Donald Trump and you attended. As his output, Trump launched the Gaza plan in Sharm el-Sheikh. A similar meeting was held this year as well. You actually mentioned some of it in your introductory speech, but will this second meeting have an outcome soon like the one in Sharm el-Sheikh?

"Permanent peace will not come to the Middle East without stopping the bloodshed in Gaza, making the ceasefire permanent and ensuring that Palestinians have an honorable future in their own land. The will formed within the framework of the peace plan is important and valuable. Almost everyone, including Hamas, has taken positive steps and expressed their desire for a solution for permanent peace, peace and stability in Gaza. However, Israel continues its aggression and undermines peace. The international community, especially America, must teach Israel that it has to comply with this plan. Only "It is not enough to say, 'Stop the war in Gaza'. We need to establish mechanisms that will prevent the resumption of the war, accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza and secure the political future of the Palestinians. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza remains there, even if the world looks away. Moreover, I am talking about people struggling to survive among the ruins. This situation has been going on for years, not for a day, a week, a month, a year. This is an issue that concerns the common conscience of humanity."

QUESTION: We also listened to your address at the United Nations General Assembly. We also congratulate you for your messages that resonated so much, especially regarding Gaza. My question is about F-35s. US President Trump had promised about F-35s. Even though months have passed, we see that no progress has been made yet. What is the latest situation on this issue? Can we get information from you?

"We also discussed this issue with Mr. Trump at NATO. He has demonstrated a positive will regarding Türkiye's return to the F-35 program. We expect this will to turn into concrete steps. We continue our contacts on this issue. I believe that we will get results. Our bilateral relationship with Mr. Trump has also accelerated Turkey-United States relations. The cooperation between the two countries has come a long way compared to the previous administration. I believe that we will not stop here either and will achieve further goals. Of course, our "What is important for us is our domestic defense industry. This is very important for us. We want to produce our own warplanes, air defense systems and defense industry capabilities. Meanwhile, we also had our meeting with the British Prime Minister. Our steps and work on Eurofighter continue. Türkiye's security, defense needs and strategic goals will be achieved. We will work for our goals and hopefully we will not step back."

QUESTION: I would like to request information about the current stage in the terrorism-free Türkiye process, Mr. President. First of all, could you share with us the latest information about whether the organization has reached the disarmament phase?

"Terror-free Turkey is not a daily issue for us. This is a matter of Türkiye getting rid of a problem that is nearly half a century old. As you know, the Turkish Grand National Assembly put forward the legal framework. Relevant mechanisms have been established and are being established. Our relevant institutions are in the field and doing the necessary follow-ups. In order for the framework law to be implemented, the organization must actually lay down its arms and the liquidation process must be completed. It is also clear how this will be determined and confirmed. The process is progressing step by step under the control of our relevant units.