President Erdogan: Türkiye Is Not Obliged To Choose Between EU And SCO

Turkey plans to put into operation the Hızır Reis submarine in 2025, and the Murat Reis submarine in 2026. The remaining three submarines will be completed by 2029. This was stated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the ceremony of presenting diplomas and banners at the National Academy of the National University of Defense in Istanbul.

Turning to the participants in the ceremony, the Turkish leader also commented on the position of Turkey regarding interaction with the countries of the East and West.

“Strengthening our relations with the East, we will look for ways to develop our deep interaction with the West. We are not obliged to choose between the European Union and the Shanghai organization of cooperation (SCO), as some say,” the president said.

The Turkish leader also announced his readiness to defend the rights of Turkey as part of the Blue Motherland strategy.

“We will not allow violating the rights of our brothers – the Turks -Kiprotov,” President Erdogan emphasized.