Erdogan: There are only two leaders in the world Putin and I

Referring to his years in power and being asked to comment on what former German Chancellor Angela Merkel the Turkish president said about her recently released memoirs,that the language used in communicating with foreign leaders is important.

One is me and the other is Vladimir Putin, Erdogan said
“Along with the expressions used, it is very important to maintain the mechanism of dialogue with them. What we call diplomatic attacks. To continue these diplomatic attacks,” he commented, adding: “We are left with two people among the world’s leaders right now. One is me and the other is Vladimir Putin. I'm not saying this because it's me, I'm stating it as a fact. Of course, my humble self has been in power for 22 years. But that's how much Mr. Putin has reigned. Everyone else has been out."

Referring to Angela Merkel, he stated that she had a special place in German politics. "Since Merkel left, politics in Germany is over. It's very interesting," he said during an event with party youth in the province of Gaziantep.

Tayyip Erdogan spoke very positively about former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder: "One of my favorite leaders is Schröder. Schröder's respect for me was very different and he was indeed a good leader. His relations with me were very, very different. For example, Schröder did not drink beer at the table I was sitting at during Ramadan. He was a very respectful person, a different person. Schröder and I still communicate. He still visits Turkey from time to time. Schröder has a very, very strong position in German politics. I wish there were politicians similar to Schröder in Turkish politics."