ANKARA – President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that Turkey has become a “sought-after actor” in international peace negotiations, emphasizing the country’s growing confidence, economic achievements, and principled foreign policy during his address to the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK).
Speaking in Ankara, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s role in mediating global conflicts while maintaining economic growth despite heightened geopolitical risks. “Today, Turkey believes in itself, trusts itself, and moves forward with confidence toward its goals,” he said.
Erdoğan noted that since his time as prime minister and throughout his presidency, his administration had actively supported DEİK, working to expand Turkish businesses’ presence abroad. “From Africa’s least-visited nations to South America, from the depths of Asia to the most troubled regions of the Middle East, we stood by our businesspeople,” he stated. He cited personal involvement in resolving logistical, bureaucratic, and financial issues faced by Turkish exporters and investors overseas.
Geopolitical Turbulence and Economic Resilience
The president acknowledged that the business community operates “in stormy seas,” particularly due to ongoing global instability, including the Gaza conflict and subsequent Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, and Syria. “We are fully aware of the anxieties caused by regional conflicts and uncertainties in the global economy,” Erdoğan said, stressing that Turkish exporters have adapted by finding new markets and forging new partnerships.
He underscored that Turkey’s foreign policy seeks to avoid both passivity and recklessness. “We remain silent to no injustice, we chase no dangerous adventures,” he said, citing Turkey’s balanced approach in crises ranging from Syria and the Russia-Ukraine war to the decision to suspend trade with Israel over the Gaza conflict.
Record-Breaking Trade and Economic Growth
Erdoğan pointed to record-breaking trade figures as evidence of Turkey’s economic momentum. In July 2025, Turkey achieved its highest-ever monthly goods export total, reaching $25 billion, while the daily export record of $2.064 billion was set in March. The foreign trade deficit dropped to its lowest level in nine months.
“Our national income has, for the first time, exceeded $1 trillion,” Erdoğan said, reporting that GDP reached $1.371 trillion in early 2025, up from $230 billion in 2002. Per capita income rose to $15,971 in the first quarter of 2025.
The structure of exports has also transformed, with medium- and high-technology products surpassing $101 billion and accounting for 41% of total exports. The defense industry reached $7.15 billion in exports to 180 countries, while the automotive sector achieved over $37 billion in exports, ranking fourth in Europe and twelfth globally.
Political Milestones in Counterterrorism Efforts
Turning to domestic issues, Erdoğan announced progress in the “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative, with the establishment of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission in parliament. He described it as “a psychological threshold” in Turkish politics, enabling discussions on national issues within a democratic framework.
Erdoğan said Turkey’s decades-long fight against terrorism had cost an estimated $2 trillion, not including the human toll. “We lost countless young lives, families were broken, and the pain spread to the entire nation,” he said, stressing that terrorism had also weakened democracy and hindered social cohesion.
He framed the current political climate as a turning point. “We are in a historic process that will change who wins and who loses,” Erdoğan said, adding that all state institutions are working in full coordination to seize this opportunity.
“A Balanced, Principled, and Respected Global Actor”
The president concluded by emphasizing that Turkey’s approach—anchored in justice, human dignity, and national interest—has earned respect even from competitors. “Today, everyone, even our rivals, speaks with praise about Turkey’s balanced, principled, and determined stance,” he said. “Turkey is becoming a sought-after actor at peace tables.”
