Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a video message to the World Government Summit in Korfif, thanking the countries that sent aid after the earthquake that hit Turkey.

“We will never forget your friendship on this dark day. This disaster has shown once again how important international solidarity is,” Erdogan emphasized and added:

“Turkey was rocked by two earthquakes on Monday, February 6. The energy released by these earthquakes is as powerful as 500 atomic bombs. We are facing one of the biggest natural disasters not only in our country but also in the history of mankind.

As we remove the debris from the thousands of buildings destroyed in this earthquake, described as “the disaster of the century,” our toll is sadly mounting.

We had more than 81,000 injured, while the number of people rescued from the rubble by search and rescue teams is over 8,000.

We carry out search and rescue and decommissioning operations, while expediting the installation of tents, containers and prefabricated structures. Hopefully we will begin the work of rebuilding and reviving our damaged cities very soon. As a Turkish state, together with our nation, we will heal the wounds of this disaster as soon as possible.

Some countries have shown their solidarity with Turkey by making personal calls, others by sending rescue teams and others by organizing aid campaigns. I would like to thank once again for your presence all the friendly and brotherly countries who collect aid for our nation day and night, support the search and rescue fight with their teams and do not forget us in their prayers. We will never forget the friendship you showed on this dark day. This disaster has shown once again how important international solidarity is.

In the aid we sent around the world during the coronavirus epidemic, we adopted the motto of Mevlanas: “There are many hopes after despair, there are many suns after darkness”.

Today, we witness the helping hands extended to us by hundreds of millions of friends and brothers from Africa to Asia, from the Americas to the Balkans, from Europe to the Gulf region. I wish God’s blessing on all my brothers who, despite their limited means, sent their wealth to our country.

The likelihood of reaching the 2030 agenda is diminishing. In the face of all these challenges, global governance and close cooperation will be decisive for the future of our world.

We believe a fairer world is possible. I emphasize this in all my speeches, especially at the United Nations General Assembly. Today, when the global system is surrounded by crises, the importance of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation is obvious.

In this equation, Turkey and the Gulf countries are the linchpin for the security, stability, prosperity and economic integration of our region. As Turkey, we always say that we do not consider our own stability and security separate from the stability and security of the Gulf region.

In addition to these issues such as high technology, space studies and renewable energy, we also attach great importance to the development of road and rail transport infrastructure that will connect the Gulf region with Europe and Asia via Turkey.

With these thoughts, I would like to thank everyone who shared our pain after the earthquake disaster and strengthened our strength with their help and prayers.

I wish that the World Government Summit will bring blessings to our region and to all humanity. I once again congratulate my Emirati brothers, especially President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, for this successful summit. I greet you all with respect and love on behalf of myself and my nation.”