Holding a press conference before departing for Japan to participate in the G20 Summit, President Erdoğan noted that the G20 attaches importance to countering terrorism financing. "In this context, we will underline once again during the Osaka Summit that a principled, coherent and determined stance must be displayed in the fight against terror."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference before departing for Japan to participate in the G20 Summit.

Noting that the decisions taken during G20 summits are closely followed by the entire world, President Erdoğan stated that the global economic outlook will be evaluated in Osaka with a view to determining the steps to be taken for the elimination of the main risks in the world economy.

Protectionist trade policies adopted by some countries in recent years bring about major conflicts, President Erdoğan warned, adding that Turkey will re-emphasize during the summit the need for free trade and the fight against protectionism.

Noting that Turkey will raise the refugee issue during the G20 Summit, President Erdoğan said: "Because Turkey has paid the greatest price in the world on the issue of refugees. In this regard, we will once again bring to the attention of our counterparts our views on boosting international cooperation and burden-sharing."

Noting that the G20 attaches importance to countering terrorism financing, President Erdoğan said: "In this context, we will underline once again during the Osaka Summit that a principled, coherent and determined stance must be displayed in the fight against terror."

Stating that he will pay an official visit to Japan on June 30-July 2 following the summit, President Erdoğan said that he will hold meetings with Japanese leaders, including Emperor Naruhito and Prime Minister Abe during his visit.

Drawing attention to the substantial improvement witnessed in bilateral relations following the formation of strategic partnership in 2013 between the two countries, President Erdoğan noted that opportunities for Japanese companies to increase their investments in Turkey will also be discussed during a meeting with Japanese businesspeople as part of the visit.

Stating that he will pay a visit to China on July 2 following the G20 Summit, President Erdoğan said: "We approach our relations with China in an understanding of comprehensive strategic partnership and with the principle of One China. In this spirit, we will discuss with President Xi, with whom we will meet in Beijing, the Turkey-China relations as well as regional and international relations."

Underlining that Turkey and China are the key countries on the Silk Road, President Erdoğan said: "China is one of our biggest trade partners. We aim to develop our economic relations in a way that will benefit both sides."

"We are going through a process which virtually redefines the dynamics of the global economy. We believe maintaining a strong dialogue with China would be useful for the stability of the international order and the multilateral trade system. And I believe my visits will greatly contribute to strengthening our relations with Japan and the People’s Republic of China."

Taking questions from reporters following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in answer to a question on the purchase of S-400s from Russia and claims that the US will impose sanctions following the purchase, stated that both Turkey and the US are NATO members.

"I do not know whether the NATO members have started to impose sanctions on each other, but our relations with the US continue on the basis of strategic partnership. I have not got such an impression during the talks I have so far held with Trump."

"However, some people in lower levels voice such things and talk about them." President Erdoğan further noted that he will bring forward the issue during the tête-à-tête he will hold with President Trump on the margins of the G20 Summit.

Responding to a question regarding a potential safe zone at the Syrian border, President Erdoğan said that he will also raise this issue during his meetings with US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Also touching upon the situation in Manbij, President Erdoğan underscored that as Turkey, they expect the promises made regarding the town to be kept and the occupiers to rapidly withdraw to the east of the Euphrates.

The President went on to say that what matters the most at the time being is the incidents occurring in Idlib and stressed that the regime acts mercilessly in Idlib.

Pointing to the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [TRNC] while answering a question concerning the Eastern Mediterranean, President Erdoğan noted that all people living in the island of Cyprus have equal rights on whatever is found in the seas around it.

Drawing attention to the ongoing exploration works therein, President Erdoğan said Turkey’s principle is based on win-win strategy, and that, however, the other party should act in a fair manner.

ILKHA