Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was welcomed at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport by thousands of supporters, following his return from his official visits in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Erdogan addressed to the huge and enthusiastic crowd who were cheering with applause outside the airport.
More than 10,000 supporters of the government chanted slogans against the anti-government protests saying "Do not give up, we are with you!" and "I love you Tayyip”.
Erdogan started his speech with his greetings to all the people living in every part of the Republic of Turkey adding he brought sincere greetings from Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian people believing Turkey would overcome the recent Taksim incidents.
"We serve 76 million-populated country, not for the 50 per cent only"
Pointing out the Taksim incidents burst out in a period when the world was talking about Turkey's development, Erdogan said Turkey has been founded on friendship and patience.
He said he has served for the 76 million-populated country, not for the 50 per cent only, and stressed that the government served from the easternmost to the westernmost part of the country not discriminating against anyone.
"Protests have to stop immediately"
Referring to the claims of excessive use of police force, Erdogan said, "Having turned into a vandalism and having lost the democratic identity, the protests have to stop immediately."
"We can not tolerate those who harm the law, democracy, public officials, vandalising the properties. Taksim protests, so-called protecting the less than 15 trees, left 3 people dead, 2 protesters and 1 police. Now, I am saying to you, the death of the police and those of 2 young people are equally important for me. The police has been working to secure the life and property of all the people, standing against the terrorists and anarchists at times. Police has been acting their duty. They may have used excessive force when needed. As we said before, the ministry of interior have been examining the incidents. However, nobody has the right to attack us over those claims."
Erdogan reminded their promise of advanced democracy and said, "We will achieve it. As we are respectful to democracy, elections, and the national will, we expect to be treated respectfully in the same way."
"Interest lobby"
Erdogan underlined they kept their promises despite the lobbying activities from "interest lobby" who always tried to keep interests high.
He said those lobbying activities tried to threaten Turkish economy by speculating on the stock market. "We will not allow such lobbying activities to destroy the labour force of our people. We will stand against those such as a bank's director general who say they are supporting the organisers of vandalism."
"Nobody but God can stop Turkey's development"
Addressing to thousands of supporters having come to Ataturk Airport to show their support for him, Erdogan said, "Dear friends, you have not made concessions in dignity, seriousness, and commonsense for 10 days since the beginning of the protests. Now, when you leave here to go home, you will never make concessions in those values."
Referring to the people who has pots and pans in their hand to support anti-government Taksim protests, Erdogan warned his supporters against taking part in such actions and said, "Our youth will be carrying computers in their hands, not pots and pans. We will keep on the struggle with determination for a great Turkey. Be sure that nobody but God can stop Turkey's development."
"Do not give up, we are with you"
Some supporters of Erdogan chanted the slogans of "Do not give up, we are with you" on his way to home in Istanbul's Kisikli district.
Erdogan answered the slogans saying they had never given up until now, never being obstinate though.
"We have achieved what we promised to do until now and we will go on doing so. I am telling you, we have never took a step before consulting about the matters. If the problem today is to love the green, it is our duty. Nobody in the country has loved the green as much as we loved. I am speaking to the friends of the environment, there is no one environmentally more friendly than us. Those protesters are away from being the environment friendly people, removing the paving stones and damaging the public properties."
