Turkey may collaborate with Elon Musk on tech, Erdoğan says

Reuters & Duvar English

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey could take joint steps with Elon Musk on technology if opportunities for cooperation in that field arise, broadcaster TRT Haber reported on Nov. 13.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Nov. 12 named Musk to a role aimed at creating a more efficient government, handing even more influence to the world's richest man who donated millions of dollars to helping Trump get elected.

"Musk is a businessman who works in the space and technology field," Erdoğan told reporters on a return flight from Baku. "Technology isn't a field you can advance on your own, you absolutely need some cooperation. In the event cooperation opportunities arise in this field, steps can be taken with Musk," he was cited as saying.

Erdoğan hopes better approach from Trump toward Mideast

Turkish President said he also hopes U.S. President-elect would take a different approach on the Middle East during his term, but that some of the messages coming from his side were concerning, broadcaster NTV reported.

"It seems too early to me to make observations about this," Erdoğan told reporters on the return flight. "Our hope is that Trump takes very different steps toward the region this term because the messages being given from time to time concern us," he was cited as saying.

Asked about Turkey's decision to halt all trade with Israel in May, Erdoğan said Ankara had no trade ties with Israel at the moment and no desire to develop them.

"A Republic of Turkey that is headed by Tayyip Erdoğan can't continue to develop its relationship with Israel. We have no such intention," he was cited as saying. "We have cut trade and ties with Israel, period."

Turkey withdrew its ambassador in Israel for consultations after Israel's war in Gaza broke out, but has not officially severed its ties with Israel and its embassy remains open and operational.

Erdoğan also said China and Russia had signed an initiative that Turkey launched at the United Nations to impose a weapons embargo on Israel.

Turkish president's longing for meeting with Assad continues

Erdoğan also said he still hopes meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to repair ties with the neighboring country, broadcaster CNN Turk reported..

"Restoring ties with Bashar al-Assad will soothe regional tensions, hopefully," Erdoğan was quoted as telling reporters.

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