Fight against FETÖ should not be delayed: Erdoğan

CHOLPON-ATA

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned the Turkic states against FETÖ and has called for a common stance against the group. 

“We especially attach great importance to the elimination of FETÖ, which is the perpetrator of the traitorous July 15 coup attempt and the murderer of 251 citizens of ours,” Erdoğan said in a speech he delivered yesterday at the Sixth Turkic Council Summit in Kyrgyzstan.

He also noted Turkey’s “intense fight” against other groups, including Daesh (ISIL) and the illegal PKK.

“What we have gone through over the past five years has openly and clearly shown to our friends as well as to us that it is imperative for us to not stay late in the fight against FETÖ,” the Turkish leader added.

Erdoğan noted that FETÖ has organized all over the world through educational institutions as it had done in Turkey in the past.

“Taqiyya, deception and secrecy are the prime features of this organization. In this regard, we especially appreciate the steps taken by Uzbekistan on this issue. We thank all the members of the Turkic Council for their support to us in the fight against FETÖ,” he said.

Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

In his speech, Erdoğan also called for support and solidarity for the advancement of ties between Turkish Cypriots and the Turkic world.

“Just like the Balkans, we do not see northern Africa, particularly Palestine, as separate from the Turkic world. Not only regional, but also international security and stability will not be possible without a lasting solution to the Palestinian issue,” he said.

Erdoğan further stressed they would continue to work for the establishment of peace, justice and stability in the region extending from Syria and Iraq to Yemen and Afghanistan, particularly in Palestine.

The president also said the dependency of international trade on the United States dollar should be decreased.

“Dependence on the dollar in international trade has started to become an obstacle for us. Our proposal on this issue is to focus on the option of trading in our local currencies,” he said.