Turkey hopes to conclude its vaccine studies by the end of the year as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on nations to avoid vaccine injustice in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier yesterday, Turkish media reported the launch of the country’s vaccine candidate named Turkovac.
In a speech at the ongoing Qatar Economic Forum powered by Bloomberg yesterday, the Turkish leader said vaccines are the most crucial weapons against a pandemic. He, however, illustrated the extent of the fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic globally, noting the world’s least developed and developing countries had been “left to their fate.”
“We make every effort to assist friendly countries that have yet to acquire vaccines. We emphasise that vaccination should not lead to new injustices on all platforms in which we participate. We witness indifference displayed in the issue of vaccines which are the most crucial weapons against the pandemic. We are faced with a calamitous situation in which nearly 100 countries have yet to receive the first dose of the vaccine,” Erdogan said.
“With this sensitivity, we are conducting our national vaccine studies which we hope to have ready by the end of the year. I would like to share the good news that the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Turkey will hopefully be the vaccine of all humanity along with our nation,” he added.
Commenting on the economy, Erdogan said Turkish exports are expected to reach a record $200bn this year as it consolidates on its locations interconnecting three continents and searches for alternatives to the Asian-centred production network.
“With a 1.8% growth rate, we ranked as the second country among G20 countries to secure the highest growth. In the same period, we were among the G20 countries to witness the highest increase in industrial production. The growth rate of 7% we secured in the first quarter of 2021 has increased our hopes for the remaining quarters.”
Erdogan also noted Turkey’s role to ensure safety, peace, and stability in the region, highlighting the lifting of the blockade on Qatar by its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neighbours.
“We are determined to further our cooperation with the countries in the region, starting with our neighbours based on mutual respect and equitable partnership. We are building diplomatic traffic to fix the problems of our region, contributing to peace and stability.
“I would like to reiterate our appreciation for the Gulf Cooperation Council resolution that enabled the lifting of the blockade and sanctions against Qatar as well as the reconciliation of the brotherly Gulf countries.”
