Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the urgent need for Israel to halt its practices against Palestinians in the West Bank during a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Fidan declared that any attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians are “unacceptable” and urged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to avoid military actions, which could lead to further conflict. He advocated for a unified effort towards a just and peaceful resolution through negotiations, highlighting Turkey’s readiness to contribute to peace in the region. Fidan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to the two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Fidan criticized Netanyahu’s approach, accusing his government of expanding Israeli influence in Lebanon and displacing Palestinians from Gaza. He warned that Israel’s continued occupation and pressure on Muslim communities could escalate tensions further. On Syria, Fidan expressed support for the Syrian people and emphasized collaboration with Russia to maintain Syria’s unity and sovereignty.
Touching on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Fidan expressed Turkey’s interest in a new American initiative to end the war. He highlighted Turkey’s willingness to facilitate negotiations, seeking a permanent resolution. Lavrov, in turn, noted the positive trajectory of Russian-Turkish relations and discussed various bilateral collaborations, including energy and strategic projects.
Lavrov also addressed the Palestinian issue, supporting Security Council resolutions for a two-state solution. On Syria, he criticized US forces’ presence and their impact on the region’s resources. On Ukraine, Lavrov mentioned ongoing discussions and Russia’s dissatisfaction with current ceasefire proposals, emphasizing the need for negotiations that account for ground realities. He concluded by supporting former US President Donald Trump’s stance against Ukraine’s NATO accession, suggesting it contributed to the crisis.