AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman made statements on A Haber live broadcast regarding the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit, hosted by Turkey in Ankara on July 7-8.
Stating that the summit was not just an organization bringing together leaders, but a strategic turning point where NATO’s future and the new world order were shaped, Yayman said this historic meeting was one of the strongest indicators of the ‘Turkey’s Century’ vision in the world.
The Beginning of Turkey’s Century
Drawing attention to the importance of the summit, Hüseyin Yayman said, “The NATO Summit was a historic summit. It was very meaningful not only as a gathering of NATO leaders but as a summit where the alliance’s future was discussed and a new strategic vision was presented to the world.”
Referring to Turkey’s position in global politics, Yayman said, “We had been repeatedly saying Turkey’s Century. Our President stated that the 21st century will be the century of Turkey and the Turks.”
“In fact, the NATO Summit became one of the most important indicators of this. In a sense, it was the moment when Turkey’s Century was launched.” he said.
From ‘Sick Man’ to Global Game Changer
Reminding of Turkey’s historical journey within NATO, Hüseyin Yayman said, “If we do not look at the issue from a historical perspective, we cannot make sense of today’s picture.
“Turkey was once a country treated as the ‘sick man’ by the West, forced to depend on 30 cents, and struggling with coups. Today, it has become not only NATO’s but the world’s focal point.” he said.
Yayman stated that during the İsmet İnönü era, an application for NATO membership was made but not accepted, and the membership was realized during Adnan Menderes’s rule.
Today, Turkey has become one of NATO’s strongest countries. It continues to increase its specific weight from the Cold War era and plays a key country role. Emphasizing Turkey’s key role in the world, Yayman said, “Turkey is the common point of East and West. Turkey is the mediator in the West’s internal disputes.
“In the Russia-Ukraine war, Turkey, standing on the right side of history, has once again proven to be the only address for a solution.” he said.
Erdoğan, the Focal Point of World Leaders
Touching on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s diplomatic weight at the summit, Yayman said, “Erdoğan was the leader with whom the participating leaders most wanted to take photos and meet.
“Because he is the most experienced statesman at this summit.” he said.
Drawing attention to Erdoğan’s leadership, Yayman assessed, “Our President is a leader who not only says what pleases other leaders but also says what is right and true. The whole world once again witnessed the power, strategic vision, and charisma of global leader Erdoğan.”
Harsh Criticism of the Opposition’s Stance
Criticizing the attitude of some circles towards the achievements at the summit, Hüseyin Yayman said, “The only thing that saddens me is the stance adopted by the opposition and some circles against this great power of Turkey. We see the opposition’s misery. There are those who are disturbed even by the Mehter March. If you are disturbed by a march that made the US President happy, you need to get your act together.” he said.
Hüseyin Yayman: There are those who are disturbed even by the Mehter March
Stating that the summit is the common pride of Turkey’s 86 million, Yayman said, “This is not a personal issue, it is a matter of the country. Turkey is now in a position to set NATO’s agenda and is the most important part of the equation.”
