Government Communication Office

[Jay]

 

[Jay]

The podium microphone hissed faintly as Şebnem Bursalı stepped up, a manila folder tucked under her arm and a mug of coffee, black, no sugar, balanced on the lectern beside her notes. The wall behind her bore the seal of the Başbakanlık. The press pool, still getting used to her tempo, was half-standing, half-seated, shuffling through their pads and recorders.

She adjusted the microphone, glanced at her watch, and gave the room a brief, almost imperceptible smile.

“Good morning. Let’s get right to it,” she said. “The Prime Minister has been in office for...” she glanced deliberately at her watch “...five days and twenty-one hours, but who’s counting? Her priority is economic growth. That’s the through-line, the starting point, and, frankly, the finish line. Every policy decision she is making right now is focused on restarting the economy and pulling this country out of the depression.”

Pens were already scratching. “Now, you’ve all been reporting, sometimes accurately, that shipping through the Bosphorus has been closed for over a week. Today, we can confirm that the closure is over. This morning, Turkish Naval Forces conducted a major clearance operation in the straits, removing forty-eight naval mines.” She glanced down at her notes, then back up. “Forty-eight. Each one capable of sinking a cargo vessel, each one placed illegally during the coalition war by Russian forces.”

A reporter in the second row mouthed forty-eight? to a colleague.

“The Prime Minister extends her personal thanks to the men and women of the Turkish Navy for conducting this operation with both courage and precision. This was not a routine sweep. This was live ordnance, in an active shipping artery, cleared without the loss of a single life.” She let that hang for half a breath before continuing.

“Now, before anyone writes tomorrow’s headline, yes, we also thank the Russian government for their cooperation in providing the location of each mine. Their maps made this operation faster and safer.

This is a crucial step in restarting maritime trade through the straits. Cargo routes reopening means export revenue flowing, it means jobs in the ports, it means fewer ships stacking up in the Sea of Marmara waiting for clearance. And that, in turn, means money in our economy. Which, if you’ve been paying attention, is the Prime Minister’s entire mission right now: end the depression, rebuild growth, get the country moving.”

She closed her folder with a single, sharp motion.

“That’s the update. Let’s take questions.”

Hands shot up. Şebnem scanned the room. The first hand was swift. It belonged to Kemal Aydın.

“Ms. Bursalı,” he began crisply, “the clearance operation took over a week, during which shipping through the Bosphorus was halted. Why wasn’t the public consulted or even informed sooner about the closure? The economic consequences of such a delay are severe.”

“Kemal, thank you for the question. The decision to close the Bosphorus was made with national security and public safety paramount in mind. We understood that premature disclosure could have caused panic in the shipping and port communities, risking further economic disruption.”

She paused, letting the room absorb the nuance.

“The closure was not taken lightly, nor was it a decision made in isolation. Our naval command, in coordination with the Prime Minister’s office, managed the operation with the discretion required to mitigate risk. The safety of our people and vessels was the guiding principle.”

Next was Leyla Kara who raised her hand and was called upon.

“Ms. Bursalı, it’s been six days since the Prime Minister took office, yet many critics say the pace of economic reform is too slow to address the depression. What is the Başbakanlık’s response to accusations that this administration is moving too cautiously?”

Şebnem’s eyes narrowed as she responded, “Leyla, sustainable reform is not something we spawn out of thin air. That would be reckless. Quick fixes and populist spending can offer immediate relief but risk long-term fiscal ruin. The Prime Minister’s approach is deliberate precisely because the country’s economic foundations are fragile. We're focused on delivering sustainable growth and our focus on bringing the public deficit down from ninety-two billion to seventy-five is not something small.”

She tapped the folder once. “We are rebuilding confidence through structural change, not headline-grabbing gestures. That takes time, patience, and a clear-eyed commitment to discipline.”

A sharp voice from the back called out.

“Şebnem, with respect, how long has the government known about the mines left by Russian forces? Could this clearance have been done sooner? And isn’t this operation just a costly use of taxpayer money?”

Şebnem’s expression tightened. “Previous governments have been monitoring maritime threats in the straits continuously since the coalition war. Unfortunately, no action was taken, and the risk of a loose mine continued to grow. The mines’ existence was a known hazard. The Prime Minister was briefed when she took office and ordered clearance plans be drawn up as soon as possible. However, clearance had to be planned with precision and safety foremost."


She leaned forward, "to characterize the protection of our shipping lanes as wasteful is to misunderstand the stakes. Every day those mines remained was a day of heightened risk, to vessels, to commerce, to lives. This operation was an investment in security and economic continuity, not an expense to be lamented.”

“Will Türkiye seek to recover the costs of the mine clearance operation from Russia, given their role in placing these hazards illegally?”

Şebnem gave a slight nod, “The Prime Minister’s office has made it clear that all diplomatic and legal avenues will be pursued to hold responsible parties accountable. Cooperation from the Russian government on mine location was a positive step, and Türkiye expects that this will be matched by recognition of liability for costs incurred.”

She straightened.

“The Başbakanlık’s priority remains, first and foremost, restoring safety and economic normalcy. Our goal right now is to deliver on those priorities."

The room buzzed with energy as more hands queued to ask questions. Şebnem smiled again, this time, just slightly. “Thank you all. We appreciate your diligence. The Başbakanlık will continue to keep you informed as this administration charts its course forward.” With that, she stepped down, the soft hum of conversation rising behind her like continued as she left the press briefing room.

 

[Jay]

The press briefing room was filled with reporters fanning themselves with notepads as if the air conditioning had given up out of spite. Şebnem strode to the podium, clutching a folder with the seal of the Prime Minister's Office which she laid down on the podium. She tapped the microphone twice before looking up.

“Good afternoon,” she began. “The President today signed the Turkish American Trade Agreement, bilateral trade agreement with the United States, which is projected to open millions in new trade value between our two countries, empower economic growth and activity across several sectors, and strengthen cooperation in a growingly difficult global market.”

She flipped a page her eyes scanning the text before lifting back to the room. “Specifically, the deal protects our domestic automakers by excluding them from tariff reductions. At the same time it will open opportunities for our agricultural, electronic, and textile industries gain access to a highly devloped consumer market. This will allow for expanded access in consumer goods, agriculture, and services. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes this as, quote, ‘a sign of trust and growing cooperation between two importanrt partners,’ unquote.”

She closed the folder with a soft thud, offering the room a thin smile. “The Prime Minister wishes to thank the American negotiators, as well as our own trade and commerce teams, who, I assure you, are now sleeping somewhere under their desks. And with that, I’ll take your questions.”

Hands shot up instantly. She pointed to a familiar face from the Financial Times.

“Şebnem, given the economic downturn, why sign a trade deal at all? Doesn’t this risk cheaper American goods flooding the market, undercutting Turkish manufacturers at their most vulnerable?”

“Well, if the question is whether Turkish want affordable goods in a recession, my guess is the answer is yes. And if the concern is about flooding the market, I’d remind you that the agreement has carve-outs for particularly sensitive industries but also to avoid dumping of products below market price and other unfair competitive actions. The idea isn’t to drown Turkish producers. It’s to keep both economies afloat. The opening of trade means investments and economic activity will surge.”

A correspondent from The Post interjected. “But critics say this could hurt us in the long run, that Türkiye is giving away leverage for short-term consumer benefits. I can't imagine we had the best leverage or power in these negotiations. ”

Şebnem leaned forward slightly. “Trade is not a giveaway. It’s an investment in stability. In the long run, you want trading partners who share both your markets and your interests. This trade agreement is an opportunity for us to redefine our own future. It is no easy feat to negotiate a trade agreement. Türkiye is the second nation to sign a trade agreement with the United States and we believe that is a testatemnt to a growing relationship. This agreement builds trust through trade makes us stronger together, not weaker alone.”

Another voice cut in from the back, sharper, more skeptical. “Isn’t this just window dressing? A way for the Prime Minister to show activity during a recession without tackling the deeper problems?”

She tilted her head. “This trade agreement is apart of a broader effort to revitalize the economy. The Ministry of Trade is actively negotiating trade agreements with Spain, Poland, and Eran. All of which will give a much needed bost to our economy. At the same time the Prime Minister is working on a budget that reallocates spending appropriately, and investment strategy that will bring real gains to the Turkish people. This agreement will support jobs, open new markets, and leave consumers better off. Now, if you’d prefer the Prime Minister sat on her hands until the recession politely resolved itself, I’d suggest you take that up with the voters.”

Laughter rippled through the room. Finally a reporter from the Ankara Times raised his voice. “So, how does this deal actually help Turks right now, the ones worried about rent, groceries, and gas?”

Şebnem nodded as her tone softened. “The Prime Minister recognizes that people are hurting. We are all hurting. This Agreement is only a bandage. It helps by making essentials cheaper and markets more predictable. Importantly it helps by showing the world that other countries believe in the strength of our economy, that they’re willing to bet on us even when times are hard. That confidence, that trust, matters. And it’s worth saying again: trade isn’t just numbers on a page. It’s food on the table, jobs in communities, and the knowledge that we don’t have to face economic storms alone.”

She glanced at the clock on the wall, then snapped her folder closed with finality. “That’s all for today. And before you ask, no, I don’t have a comment on the football match later today. Not until I’ve had three cups of coffee and a lie down.” The room erupted in chuckles as she stepped down. The gaggle followed her out of the briefing room as they always did, hungry for scraps the podium never gave.

“Şebnem, Şebnem, one of the correspondents called, leaning forward through the closing doors. “Can you comment on the situation in the Southeast? There are reports of renewed clashes and that a government crackdowns is begining?”

Şebnem didn’t break her stride as the heels clicking steadily toward her office. She turned her head just as she approached the door to the communication office.

“At this time, I don’t have much to add on that,” she said. “We recognize its a difficult situation and we are working with national and provicinal leaders to restore order to the region. The Prime Minister is monitoring it closely. When we have something substantive to share, you’ll hear it from this podium.”

The reporter pressed her: “But does the new trade deal imply the Prime Minister is ignoring...”

Şebnem cut him off gently, her hand turning to unlock the door. “The trade deal speaks for itself. And I’d remind you that the Turkish Government can walk and chew gum at the same time. The economy and social cohesion are both priorities for us. Now, if you’ll excuse me." She said unlocking the door and leaving the reporter in the restricted press pool section alone.