Kılıçdaroğlu Criticizes Erdoğan’s Comments on Treaty of Lausanne

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Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has responded to the comments of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the Treaty of Lausanne: “Those who sat on the table, did not make the best of that treatment”.

In a statement he made following the meeting with representatives from international media outlets in İstanbul, Kılıçdaroğlu has noted;  “We defend the Republic, they defend the Caliphate. We defend the citizens, they defend slavery”.

With regards to the meeting with press members, Kılıçdaroğlu has said that he had explained that Turkey was a big and powerful state and that all politicians had done their best to act in solidarity against coup attempts.

“Lausanne is the title deed of Turkey”

Upon being asked about Erdoğan’s comments on the Treaty of Lausanne, Kılıçdaroğlu has responded;

“How can Lausanne be brought to agenda while there is so much unemployment, corruption, [...] and the victims in 81 provinces of Turkey are all looking for a way to get out of this situation?

 “Lausanne is the title deed of Turkey. We defend Lausanne, they defend [the Treaty of] Sevres. We defend the Republic, they defend the Caliphate. We defend the citizens, they defend slavery”

Criticizing Erdoğan, Kılıçdaroğlu has noted that the President should not forget that he could only come to his position thanks to the Republic and the Treaty of Lausanne and should therefore be loyal and not betray the history.

Making a statement at the 27th gathering with the village chiefs yesterday (September 29), Erdoğan had said “They try to present us the Treaty of Lausanne as a victory” and pointed out to the Greek Islands which he regarded as “lost in Lausanne” because of  those who were in charge during the negotiations. (HK/DG)

* Photograph: Elif Öztürk - İstanbul/Anadolu Agency