‘Climate change’ added to the name of Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Urbanization

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed the public following the Presidential cabinet meeting in the capital city of Ankara yesterday (October 11).

In his speech, Erdoğan mentioned a series of current issues on the country's agenda such as the recent ratification of the Paris Agreement, migration and the killing of two police officers in northern Syria.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), President Erdoğan referred to the issue of climate change, saying that Turkey is "resolute in resolving the climate crisis" and added that Ankara will "put the green development revolution at the core of its efforts."

A climate change presidency will be established in Turkey to tackle the issue in a more elaborate manner, Erdoğan said, announcing that the Environment and Urbanization Ministry will also be renamed as Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry.

He said that the government expects all parties, the private sector and NGOs to support green development, which is a "historic project."

He said that climate change concerns every country and Turkey's Parliament has recently ratified the Paris Agreement. The international community should also take a fair responsibility to tackle climate change, depending on their individual damage to nature, he added.

Migration

Addressing migration, President and AKP Chair Erdoğan announced that the status of the Directorate General of Migration Management will be increased to the Presidency of Migration Management.

Erdoğan indicated that "it is not possible for Turkey to shoulder the entire burden of the migration crisis all by itself, and expects refugees' target countries to take more responsibility."

"In the past five years, about 2.35 million irregular migrants have attempted to enter Turkish territories," the President said and added that "more than 1.3 million have been held within Turkey, some of them have voluntarily left whereas about 286,000 have been deported."

"The goal of almost all of these migrants was not to 'stay in Turkey' but cross into Europe, or even other locations, we should underline that," President and AKP Chair Erdoğan argued, adding that "with its comprehensive and efficient border security and migration policy, Turkey has thwarted a migration influx Europe would not be able to overcome."

"While Turkey can sort its migration issue through security and voluntary departures and integration via social and economic programs, the target countries should also focus on their share of the burden," he said.

Attack in Syria

Speaking about the attack which claimed the lives of two police officers in Azaz in northern Syria, Erdoğan said that "the country has run out of patience after the latest deadly attack on its police force in northern Syria and harassment targeting the country's territories."

He said that "Ankara is determined to eliminate threats emanating from northern Syria, either itself or with the support of active local forces."

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of operations across its border in northern Syria, which has been named as "Euphrates Shield" (2016), "Olive Branch" (2018) and "Peace Spring" (2019). (KÖ/SD)