ISTANBUL – ANSWER. “Shots” on the head of European diplomacy, Joseph Borellaunched by the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganabout the statements of the former about the “alarming deepening of Turkish-Russian economic relations.”

In fact, Erdogan not only defended relations between Ankara and Moscow, but also noted that he offered Vladimir Putin creation of a tripartite mechanism Turkey-Russia-Syria improve relations with Damascus.

In particular, speaking to journalists on the presidential plane on the way back from Turkmenistan, the President of Turkey made critical statements about the head of European diplomacy, noting that he does not consider him his interlocutor.

Characteristically, he said: “He can only be an interlocutor of Mevlut (Tsavosoglu). His statement is not elegant at all. In other words, Borel cannot appoint or regulate our relations with Russia. He has neither the quality nor the ability to make such a decision in these matters.. A very bad statement. How can you stand up and assess our relationship with Russia under sanctions?”

Recall that earlier this month, the EU High Representative also asked Turkey to join the sanctions against Russia.

“I will not leave politics”

Erdogan also commented on his decision not run for a third time as president of Turkey after the June 2023 elections. With a somewhat melancholy air, he pointedly stated: “The third time will not be lucky.”

On the other hand, as he said, this does not mean that he himself will leave politics nor that he will leave the AKP.

“This does not mean that the AKP will give up its claims in the presidential elections and this does not mean that Tayyip Erdogan will leave politics. First, we are running as the People’s Alliance in this election, we are working now. I hope that we will continue to carry out our duties as president if the nation favors us. If we get strong support from our people in parliament, I hope we can continue to work successfully over the next 5 years with a strong image in parliament,” he said.

And he continued about the AKP: “Am I leaving this party? I created this party. Can these friends be left alone? We walked these streets together, stood together in the pouring rain. In all the songs I’m listening to right now, they all tell me about the AKP.”

Meeting with Assad and the Turkey-Russia-Syria trilateral mechanism

At the same time, as Haberturk media reported today, the Turkish President expressed his intention to meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. In fact, he also briefed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, who was reportedly active in the meeting.

Erdogan also invited Putin to create tripartite mechanism with Russia and Syria speed up diplomatic relations between Ankara and Damascus and fight terrorism.

In this context, he said that it could become series of meetings representatives of the three countries to improve relations between them.

“First our intelligence chiefs can meet, then our defense ministers, then our foreign ministers. Then we leaders could meet. I suggested this to Mr. Putin and he was convinced,” Erdogan told Haberturk.

In addition, Erdogan said that what he called a “terrorist organization” was operating in Syria, especially in its northern regions, and stressed that his country would take matters into its own hands if countries like the United States continued to provide “thousands of trucks.” “with weapons, ammunition, tools and equipment to terrorists in Syria.

asked about her US backlash in a meeting with Assad, the Turkish president emphasized that he could do whatever he wanted, and mentioned his meeting with Sisi: “I don’t decide with whom, when and how to meet with someone’s permission. I had a meeting with the President of Egypt in Qatar. I didn’t ask anyone for permission“.

And concluded:The determining factor in the steps we take for Syria will be our national interests.. Maintaining a safe zone in Syria is one of the steps we will take as part of the measures we will take against a terrorist organization.”

Asked about Germany’s measures against the far-right coup plot, Erdogan welcomed the measures and said it was important to shed light on the process within the rule of law.

“My people, my country, are those who will best understand the mood (prevailing) in Germany against the plans for a coup d’état. Unfortunately, I cannot say that we see the same sympathy and understanding from our friend and ally Germany,” he said.