We will resolve the terror problem, says Erdoğan

“We are ready to give up our chairs, our titles and our positions as long as no other soldier dies due to terror, “said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Saturday in the central Anatolian province of Malatya.

“For the past 25 years, terror has been an issue in Turkey and some have turned this to their advantage, but now, no matter what, we will resolve this issue,” said Erdoğan speaking at the opening of a shopping mall in Malatya.

Referring to the parliamentary talks on Friday, Erdoğan named Nov. 13 as a historical turning point for Turkey.

"After setting things into motion yesterday, I came to here [Malatya] today. I have been to Malatya nine times in past seven years, but they [the opposition parties] cannot even go east of Sivas. They have prejudices in their minds and they are trying to prevent our initiative to end terror," said Erdoğan referring to the opposition parties’ disagreement with the proposed Kurdish initiative.

 "I went to Cape Town, and I went to Erzurum, Iwent to Diyarbakır, too. But they only come here for elections," Erdoğan said.

The prime minister disclosed that the fight against terror had cost Turkey around $ 300 billion over past 25 years. "All this Money is paid by the residents of Edirne, Tekirdağ, Istanbul, Sakarya, Diyarbakır, Muş, Ağrı, Van," he said, adding that if the terror ends now, then these funds could be used for education and other investments instead.

After recalling  all the districts of Malatya, Erdoğan said, "Malatya is Turkey, Turkey is Malatya.

"Turkey has never bargained with terrorists or separatists and itnever will," he said.

Erdoğan assured the people gathered at the ceremony that the government would continue the process of solving the terror problem with people’s support and prayers.