Turkey does not approve sanctions on Qatar: President Erdoğan

ANKARA

AA photo

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 6 voiced disapproval of the sanctions on Qatar, after several Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic relations with Doha.        

“I want to say clearly that we don’t find the sanctions that have started to be imposed on Qatar correct.

 These developments, coming at a time when we need solidarity and cooperation more than ever, are no good for any country in the region,” Erdoğan said at an iftar fast-breaking meal organized by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the capital Ankara. 

He added that the right way forward is for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members to solve issues between themselves by engaging in dialogue. 

“Within this framework, we appreciate the cool-headed and constructive attitude presented by Qatar. The fact that Qatar, which we know is waging an effective struggle against terrorism, is being isolated in this way cannot solve any problems. I hope that all sanctions against Qatar will be lifted as soon as possible,” Erdoğan said. 

Perceiving Qatar as a “terror suspect” is a “very heavy accusation,” he added, claiming that “there is a different game being played here.”

“I’ve known them for 15 years. If such a thing existed, I would be the first president to oppose them. But I have not seen this. There is a different game being played here. We have not yet been able to determine those behind this game yet, but we need to disappoint those waiting for an opportunity to meddle in the region,” he added. 

During his speech, Erdoğan also said Turkey is ready to do its part to solve the countries’ problems with Qatar. 

He also said he held phone calls with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Russian President Vladimir Putin, King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, French President Emmanuel Macron, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri on the issue.        
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain are among seven states that have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, a gas-rich emirate at the Saudi border.

Qatar says the “baseless” allegations that it supports terrorism are being used to tarnish the image and unity of Gulf states.