Bilal Erdoğan attended the 9th Ordinary General Assembly of the Union of International Democrats (UID) held in Neuss, Germany.
Speaking at the general assembly, Bilal Erdoğan said, "Of course, the Turkey of 25 years ago does not exist anymore. There is a stronger Turkey now. There is a Turkey that is determined to carry out its own foreign policy. There is a Turkey that does not have the luxury of being indifferent to the conflicts and instabilities in its region." he said.
Pointing out that Türkiye is a country that has suffered from wars, civil wars and instability in its surroundings for years, Bilal Erdoğan said:
"Our economy, which grew by an average of 5.5 percent in the last 23 years, would be much more advanced today if it were not for these wars and these instabilities around us. Let's remember 25 years ago, Türkiye's national income per capita according to purchasing power was 40 percent of the European average, but today it is 70 percent. If our surroundings were not so confused and like a ring of fire, today we could perhaps be 90 percent of the European average and 100 percent."
Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan emphasized that being a mediator and stabilizer for Türkiye, especially in crises in the neighboring geography, has become an obligation rather than an option, and said:
"Under the leadership of our President, Turkey is the country that carries out the most proactive policy and diplomacy to end all of the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian War in the region, the genocide in Gaza, the war waged by Israel and America against Iran. As long as Turkey is stronger, it will continue to play a role as a responsible stabilizing actor in the world."
Pointing out that the world is experiencing a period of increasing unpredictability, Bilal Erdoğan stated that the effects of the global financial crisis in 2008 are still ongoing, that the increasing oil prices due to the Iran War create the risk of a new wave of inflation, and that these global problems also affect Europe and Turkey.
Bilal Erdoğan stated that there should be unity and solidarity against the enemies and underlined that believers should work hard, support each other and pursue difficulties, not the easy ones, in order to achieve their goals.
Stating that the easier it is to destroy something, the more difficult it is to build, Bilal Erdoğan said, "If we are willing to do the difficult, then we will give the right to aspire to difficulty by working hard, no matter how enjoyable the path chosen by those who pursue the easy, the pleasure, the pursuit of pleasure. Because if we were living for the rewards in this world, with God's permission, we would probably not be here today. Our President would probably not be in this position today." he said.
Bilal Erdoğan said, "Therefore, we will work hard, encourage each other, eliminate those among us who are tired, those who do not contribute to this cause and are a burden, and continue to walk in this strong cause, with God's permission." he said.
Stating that there is a need to strengthen the feature of civil society that guides politics in developed countries, Necmeddin Bilal Erdoğan said, "In Türkiye, under the strong leadership of our President, politics has always been the one to pave the way. Politics has always been the one to guide society. Now, we need civil society to give more direction to politics in Türkiye, which will leave its mark on the 21st century in the Turkey of the future." made his assessment.
Bilal Erdoğan stated that the Turkish community in Europe has turned into a strong social structure that adds value to the countries they live in, with business people, politicians, representatives of non-governmental organizations and academics.
Stating that it should be questioned whether Europe will become stronger when it cooperates with Turkey or when it cannot resolve the disagreements and misunderstandings between them, Bilal Erdoğan said, "The stronger you are as individuals and citizens of Europe, the stronger Europe will be." he said.
Bilal Erdoğan emphasized that Turkey would benefit from a more stable and strong Europe and drew attention to the importance of developing relations between Turkey and Europe in a period when wars, persecutions and genocides were experienced in various parts of the world.
Cooperation between non-governmental organizations in Türkiye and Europe
Stating that they attach importance to strengthening the relations between non-governmental organizations in Türkiye and the Turkish diaspora in Europe, Bilal Erdoğan explained that they try to provide various educational and research support to thousands of students every year, especially at the master's and doctoral levels, within the Science Dissemination Foundation.
Bilal Erdoğan stated that they aim to train more qualified scientists and researchers with these supports and contribute to Türkiye's future goals, and said that establishing stronger cooperation between non-governmental organizations in Türkiye and educational actors in Europe will provide mutual benefits.
Erdoğan noted that this cooperation will enable the experience of non-governmental organizations in Türkiye to be shared with the Turkish community in Europe and the accumulation of the diaspora in Europe to contribute to Türkiye.
Turkish diaspora in Europe can be an example for other Muslim diasporas
Stating that approximately 500 million people live in Europe and approximately 10 percent of the population consists of Muslims, Erdoğan stated that Muslim diasporas in Europe should also be strengthened in the areas of social representation and organization.
Pointing out the importance of these communities participating in the economic and social life of the countries they live in and getting the share they deserve from the prosperity of their countries, Erdoğan said that the Turkish diaspora can be an example for other Muslim communities in this field.
