The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published the joint statement of the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

In the statement, it was noted that the meeting held by the ministers in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, provided an opportunity for a comprehensive exchange of views on regional and international developments, and the importance of ongoing consultation and coordination between the 4 countries in order to support peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region was reaffirmed.

The statement emphasized that the ministers welcomed the Islamabad Agreement reached between the USA and Iran, and said: “Ministers considered this important development as a constructive step towards reducing tensions and ending the conflict, which poses significant risks to regional security and stability, as well as energy markets, international maritime routes, global supply chains and international trade.” The statement was included.

The statement praised Pakistan and Qatar for their effective efforts in achieving “this historic result”, while also appreciating Pakistan’s close coordination with ministers in this process.

The statement underlined the importance of quickly and successfully concluding the next phase of the negotiations, which aims to find a permanent, verifiable and mutually acceptable solution to the remaining problems, and said:

“Ministers emphasized that such efforts should take into account the concerns of regional countries, especially regarding the security and stability of the Gulf Arab States and the Levant region, with the aim of strengthening collective security and promoting long-term regional stability.”

In the statement, while the importance of the Palestinian cause in ensuring peace, security and stability in the Middle East was once again confirmed, it was also pointed out that special attention was paid to the humanitarian and political situation in the occupied Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

It was also stated in the statement that the ministers reiterated their support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the borders of June 4, 1967, in order to establish a fair, comprehensive and lasting peace in the region in line with the decisions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

AK Party Culture and Art Policies Vice Presidents Hilmi Türkmen, Serpil Yılmaz and Müjde Kotil and AK Party Istanbul Culture and Art Policies President Helin Görgülü attended the program organized by the AK Party Culture and Art Policies Presidency at the Istanbul Provincial Directorate.

Making evaluations about the work of the AK Party Culture and Art Policies Presidency and its plans for the next period at the meeting, Yayman said that the presidency was established as an indicator of the importance the AK Party attaches to culture and arts.

“WE SEE CULTURE AND ART AS THE IDENTITY AND MEMORY OF OUR NATION”

Pointing out that the AK Party is the only political party in Türkiye that has a culture and arts policy chairmanship, Yayman said that they see culture and art as an element that strengthens the nation’s identity, memory and social solidarity.

Yayman said, “We see culture and art as the identity and memory of our nation. Whatever values ​​our nation has, constitute the basis of our culture and art. We see culture as a matter of increasing a nation’s problem-solving ability and administrative, political and social capacity.” he said.

Emphasizing that culture and art are one of the important elements of the Turkey Century vision, Yayman said, “If the 21st century, as our President puts it, will be the century of Türkiye, the way to achieve this is through culture and art. Our presidency was established for this very reason. We will carry out activities together with you that will raise awareness in this field.” he said.

CULTURE AND ART STRATEGY DOCUMENT IS BEING PREPARED

Hüseyin Yayman stated that “Library Talks” programs were among the first activities of the AK Party Culture and Art Policies Presidency, and that they aimed to spread these meetings to different cities of Anatolia.

Underlining that culture and art also serve a function that brings society together, Yayman said, “We consider culture and art not as a means of separation, but as a means of unification and an activity that will take our nation forward.” he said.

Yayman informed that they are working on a strategy document that will reveal the AK Party’s view on culture and art, and stated that the document is planned to be shared with the public in the October-November period.

Yayman also said that they will organize events in different provinces of Anatolia within the scope of the AK Party Culture and Arts Academy meetings, and noted that they aim to organize article, poetry and short film competitions on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the AK Party.

“DIGITALIZATION IS THE TRUTH OF LIFE”

Answering the questions of journalists at the meeting, Yayman stated that cultural policies cannot be considered independently of digital transformation and said, “With artificial intelligence, digitalization is the reality of life and this cannot be denied anymore. In the face of this digitalization and modernization, as a conservative party, we have an approach of commemorating our own values ​​and not dooming them to extinction.”

Stating that new methods are needed for cultural and artistic events to reach young generations, Yayman said that it is important to produce digital content and work in different formats in addition to traditional commemoration programs.

Regarding the Culture Road Festivals, Yayman pointed out that festivals have an important function and that concerts can take precedence over other events, and that programs such as interviews, exhibitions and conferences should be made more visible.

Underlining the importance of supporting young people in the field of culture and arts, Yayman noted that reward and incentive mechanisms should be developed.

Yayman shared his opinion that the inclusion of Kahramanmaraş in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of literature is an important development for Türkiye and that such achievements are important for the registration of cultural values ​​at the international level.

Stating that they aim to carry out studies in the field of culture and arts in consultation with all stakeholders, Yayman added that similar meetings with journalists will continue.

The meeting also discussed issues such as increasing support for culture and art projects, encouraging cultural production and creating common sense with the contributions of different views.

Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of Kültür A.Ş. affiliated with Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, who is on trial without arrest in the “İmamoğlu Criminal Organization for Self-Purpose” case, was kidnapped with a vehicle from in front of his house in the Maltepe district of Istanbul. Erhan Karaal, the then Financial Affairs Manager of Kültür A.Ş., which caused a public loss of 6.2 billion lira through the advertising tenders given to pro-government companies in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was being tried as a member of the organization in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality indictment, and his kidnapping 1 month before he was to make his defense drew attention to the tender files in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.

İBB Kültür A.Ş., which was rescued as a result of the meticulous work of the Public Security Branch Directorate Extortion Bureau teams. There have been new developments in the investigation of Deputy General Manager Erhan Karaal. The number of detainees reached 12 with successive operations.

THEY HELPED THE SUSPECTS ESCAPE

It was determined that the suspects who were detained within the scope of the investigation helped the suspects escape and concealed themselves after the incident. Deepening its work, the Extortion Bureau identified the pirate taxi drivers who were found to have taken the suspects first to Fatih and then to different addresses after the incident, and the other suspects who aided and abetted them. The total number of detainees in the investigation reached 12, including the new suspects who were detained in simultaneous operations following the information obtained.

THE TRIGGER WAS BROUGHT FROM BALIKESİR

It was learned that the person waiting with a gun over Karaal, who was rescued in a movie-like operation, was assigned as the shooter in the incident. During the investigations, it was determined that the person who had many criminal records, especially drug crimes, was 27-year-old İsmail A. Details of the instructions given to İsmail A., who was caught waiting with a gun in front of Karaal during the operation in Tuzla, were also revealed.

“Shot in the head” INSTRUCTION

During the studies, it was determined that the suspects who kidnapped Karaal changed 4 different addresses in order to cover their tracks. The suspects, who were put under pressure by the successive operations carried out by the Extortion Bureau teams, lastly took Karaal to an empty factory in Tuzla.
Allegedly, İsmail A., who was brought from Balıkesir, was left as the head of Karaal here. It was learned that the suspects said to İsmail A., “We will ask the family for ransom again. If they do not give the ransom, we will inform you. You can shoot him in the head. This is an empty place, they will hardly find the body after 45 days. We will lose our trace. They will not be able to find us.” It was determined that the kidnapped Erhan Karaal also heard these conversations.

THEY DID NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK FOR RANMS

While the suspects gave this instruction to the shooter, the Public Security Branch Directorate Extortion Bureau teams continued their work uninterruptedly and carried out operations at 19 different addresses where the suspects could be identified and found. Finally, the police teams determined the address in Tuzla and rescued Erhan Karaal by carrying out an operation before the suspects could ask for ransom from the family again. The investigation into the incident, which has expanded with new arrests, continues in many aspects.

Graduation excitement was experienced in the Village University Project, which was implemented by Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University (MAKÜ) to increase access to education and information in rural areas. Village residents who completed their education within the scope of the project, which started in March 2025, wore robes at the university’s graduation ceremony. Meaningful images emerged at MAKÜ’s 2025-2026 Academic Year Graduation Ceremony. Village University students, accompanied by Refreshment University students, participated in the cortege march with university graduates. The participants took their places in the ceremony area with their robes and celebrated this special day by throwing their caps together with other graduates.

THERE IS EDUCATION IN 25 VILLAGES
Within the scope of the project, which aims to support lifelong learning in rural areas, training and field studies have been carried out in 25 villages so far. While a total of 2 thousand 871 people participated in the training programs, 13 events and 43 different training activities were organized during the project. 26 academics who took part in the studies met directly with citizens in the villages and shared information in various fields. The Village University model aims to bring the knowledge produced at the university to rural areas, as well as to bring together local experience and knowledge with academic studies. Thanks to the project carried out with a participatory approach, it is aimed to strengthen social learning environments in villages and contribute to sustainable development. The project, which produced its first graduates, draws attention as one of the exemplary practices that strengthens the bond between the university and the society.

Ankara Police Chief Maksut Yüksek inspected the increased security measures throughout the city before the NATO Summit to be held in the capital on July 7-8, 2026. Yüksek, who examined the police practices carried out in areas where citizens are densely populated, visited the checkpoints and received information from the personnel on duty.
Yüksek, who closely follows the practices carried out in the busy points of the capital, also met with the citizens and listened to their opinions and demands. Stating that security measures will be maintained with the same sensitivity and determination throughout the summit, Yüksek stated that the priority goal is to protect public order and ensure the peace of citizens.
Extensive security planning is being carried out throughout the province by the Ankara Police Department within the scope of the NATO Summit. While many units, especially public order, traffic and riot police, will work in a coordinated manner, security measures will be implemented at the highest level in the capital throughout the summit.
On the other hand, it was reported that tens of thousands of personnel will work within the scope of security preparations for the 36th NATO Summit to be held in Ankara, and additional measures will be taken at airports, accommodation areas and critical routes.