Addressing via videoconference the international conference hosted by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council, President Erdoğan, as regards the earthquakes that occurred on February 6, said: "We will never forget the solidarity displayed during these difficult days by all our friends, by the EU together with its institutions as well as its member and candidate states, by the UN and other international organizations."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan addressed virtually the international conference hosted by the European Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council.

Thanking President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Prime Minister of Sweden and Term President of the Council of the EU, Ulf Kristersson, for convening the conference, President Erdoğan noted that Türkiye was shaken by one of the greatest natural disasters in the history of humanity on February 6, and that two major earthquakes of 7.7 and 7.6 magnitude, which took place in the same region just nine hours apart, caused extensive destruction and substantial loss of life in 11 provinces where 14 million citizens live.

Pointing out that 50,096 people lost their lives while 115 thousand others were rescued alive in the quakes, President Erdoğan offered his condolences for the dead and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

"I also offer my condolences for our 6,807 foreign friends who lost their lives, including your citizens and our Syrian brothers and sisters," said President Erdoğan. "Scientists describe this catastrophe as the most violent land tremor that has ever happened in the world. Indeed, aftershocks, some of which reach the scale of an independent earthquake, are still occurring. On top of that, some of these quake-hit provinces also have had to grapple with excessive precipitation and flood disasters in recent days."

"NO COUNTRY CAN COPE WITH A DISASTER OF THIS SCALE ALL BY ITSELF"

President Erdoğan stated: "Despite harsh weather conditions, we are doing whatever is necessary, including debris removal and meeting the needs of quake survivors related to accommodation, food and other issues. Our municipalities, NGOs and volunteers as well as all the relevant states agencies are working tirelessly in the region. Damage assessment is about to be completed. In the 11 provinces of the earthquake zone, the number of collapsed houses and heavily-damaged houses to be urgently demolished, i.e. no longer usable, approximates 298 thousand, with the number of individual units reaching 876 thousand. Preliminary calculations show that the devastation caused by the quakes will cost nearly 104 billion dollars. No matter how strong economically, no country can cope with a disaster of this scale all by itself."

Pointing out that Türkiye, which had been rushing to the aid of those in need all across the world for years, received support from 11.320 thousand personnel hailing from 90 countries in the immediate aftermath of the quakes, President Erdoğan pointed out that there were friends who called by phone, conveyed messages, or visited the country in person to share Türkiye's pain."

Underscoring that nearly 130 countries extended aid to earthquake victims, President Erdoğan stated: "Established with the support of you, our treasured friends, 36 field hospitals contributed to the treatment of the injured. I would like to offer my gratitude to each one of you on behalf of myself, my country and my nation."

"We will never forget the solidarity displayed during these difficult days by all our friends, by the EU together with its institutions as well as its member and candidate states, by the UN and other international organizations," stressed the President. "This is yet another example showing the strong basis of the relations between our peoples. The contributions you will be offering during the conference will help us in our efforts to heal the earthquake wounds and erase the traces of the disaster. That is so because our real struggle starts now."

"WE WILL REVIVE ALL THE CITIES DESTROYED BY THE QUAKES"

Underlining that all the cities destroyed by the quakes will be revived and reconstructed with their superstructure and infrastructure as well as their businesses and historical and cultural identities, President Erdoğan described their target as to build the necessary number of high-quality and safe structures in such a manner as to meet the housing need of the whole earthquake zone.

President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: "We are planning to deliver to our people a total of 650 thousand houses, 319 thousand of them within the first year. We have immediately broken ground and started the construction works in the areas where the location detection and land survey phases have been completed. While doing all this, we are also simultaneously and without any interruption continuing the activities to erect tent and container cities and prefabricated structures. We will inshallah set up 108 thousand containers and will settle nearly half a million people in these areas."

Highlighting that Turks, as a nation that believes in the abundance in sharing, have rushed to the aid of all those in need without making any distinction of faith, race or language throughout history, President Erdoğan recalled that Türkiye sent medical relief and equipment to 160 countries and 12 international organizations that requested so during the Coronavirus pandemic. "We have opened our hearts and doors to all the people forced to emigrate from conflict zones, ranging from Syria to Ukraine. Currently, we are hosting over 4 million refugees, 3.5 million of them from Syria. Today as well, while healing the wounds caused in our country by the disaster of the century, we also stand in solidarity with the Syrian people affected by the quakes."

President Erdoğan further stressed that Türkiye will continue to facilitate the land and air transfer of humanitarian aid materials from third parties and other countries to the quake victims in Syria.

President Erdoğan concluded his address as follows: "While ending my remarks, I extend by gratitude to you, our treasured friends, who, day and night, raise funds for our nation, contribute to our search and rescue efforts with their teams, and stand with us during these trying times. I hope the conference will yield outcomes for our country and nation."

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