Politics
Türkiye, 8 nations reject Israeli attempts to alter status quo at Al-Aqsa
The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates issued a joint statement condemning continued incursions by extremist illegal Israeli settlers into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as Al-Haram Al-Sharif, in occupied East Jerusalem.
The ministers denounced the visits, which they said were carried out under the protection of Israeli forces, as well as the raising of Israeli flags inside the compound’s courtyards.
They described the actions as provocative and unacceptable, arguing that they constitute a flagrant violation of international law, relevant United Nations resolutions and the longstanding historical and legal status quo governing the holy site.
The ministers also condemned what they called systematic Israeli measures aimed at altering the historical, legal and demographic character of occupied East Jerusalem and undermining the status of its Islamic and Christian holy sites.
Reaffirming their rejection of any attempts to change the status quo in Jerusalem, the ministers stressed the importance of preserving existing arrangements while recognizing the special role of Jordan’s Hashemite custodianship over the holy sites.
The statement reiterated that the entire 144-dunam Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is an exclusive Muslim place of worship and emphasized that the Jerusalem Endowments and Al-Aqsa Mosque Affairs Department, which operates under Jordan’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, retains sole authority over the administration of the site and access arrangements.
The ministers held Israeli authorities responsible for halting what they described as escalating violations, warning that repeated actions at the site risk increasing tensions, fueling instability and extremism, and undermining international efforts to achieve peace.
They called for an immediate end to what they characterized as illegal and provocative practices and urged full respect for the historical and legal status quo at Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The joint statement also reaffirmed unwavering support for the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, including the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The ministers reiterated their backing for efforts to end the Israeli occupation and achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, in line with international law, relevant U.N. resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend the NATO summit in Türkiye’s capital Ankara next month, while emphasizing Washington’s continued commitment to the alliance and warning that Israeli actions in Lebanon could undermine efforts to sustain the Iran-U.S. cease-fire.
Speaking to Bloomberg TV during a visit to Singapore, Fidan said President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had spoken with Trump several times over the past month and that the U.S. president reaffirmed his plans to attend the gathering during those conversations.
“As far as we know, yes, he is planning to attend,” Fidan said.
The foreign minister dismissed speculation that Washington could withdraw from NATO, saying he had seen no indication that the United States was preparing to distance itself from the alliance despite political rhetoric surrounding the issue.
Fidan said the United States has continued pressing allies to increase defense spending and assume greater responsibility for their own security, adding that European members had already begun boosting military budgets in response.
“When leaders come together, we will review the progress that has been made,” he said.
Addressing regional tensions, Fidan voiced support for ongoing diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran, saying both sides appeared sincere in efforts to preserve the cease-fire and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.
However, he warned that Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon posed a serious risk to the process.
“I am sure that both the Americans and the Iranians are sincere,” Fidan said. “They want the cease-fire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. But I am not sure about Israel’s intentions.”
Fidan said he recently spoke by phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding Israel’s expanded military activity in Lebanon.
According to Fidan, Tehran believes it reached an understanding with Washington on achieving a cease-fire across all fronts and views Israel’s latest actions as a violation of that arrangement.
“I think this will make it extremely difficult for them to continue negotiations,” he said.
The foreign minister also recalled Trump’s recent social media statement following a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the U.S. president said the parties had agreed not to attack one another.
Asked about the possibility of renewed U.S. strikes on Iran, Fidan said he hoped such a scenario would be avoided, citing potential consequences for global energy markets, inflation and regional security.
“When we witnessed such a situation previously, we saw its impact on energy, security and inflation worldwide,” he said.
Fidan noted that regional conflicts continue to place pressure on Türkiye’s economy, particularly through rising energy prices, despite the country’s access to pipeline supplies from Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran.
He said diplomats were working to prevent further escalation and create conditions conducive to peace, stability, development and trade.
On reports that Türkiye could seek a dollar swap line from the United States, Fidan said he was unaware of any such proposal being discussed by the government.
“I know such an issue has not come onto the agenda,” he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan discussed efforts to deepen engagement between Türkiye and Armenia during a phone call, with the two leaders reviewing the ongoing normalization process and regional developments.
Pashinyan congratulated Erdoğan on the recent Eid al-Adha holiday, according to a statement from the Communications Directorate.
During the conversation, Erdoğan said the normalization process between Türkiye and Armenia was continuing through measures aimed at paving the way for direct trade, highlighting ongoing efforts to build practical cooperation between the neighboring countries.
The president also reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across the region, stressing that Ankara would continue to support initiatives that contribute to dialogue, cooperation and lasting regional security.
The call marked the latest contact between the two leaders as Ankara and Yerevan pursue a gradual normalization process aimed at improving bilateral relations and expanding areas of cooperation.
Earlier this year, Pashinyan said Armenia would halt its campaign for international recognition of the 1915 mass killings of Armenians as genocide.
Ankara and Yerevan appointed special envoys in late 2021 to lead a normalization process, a year after Armenia’s defeat in a war with Azerbaijan over the then-disputed Karabakh region.
In 2022, Türkiye and Armenia resumed commercial flights after a two-year pause.
A previous attempt to normalize relations, a 2009 accord to open the border, was never ratified by Armenia and abandoned in 2018.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Wednesday that his meetings in Indonesia were highly productive, covering a broad range of issues from defense cooperation and energy to artificial intelligence and the halal food industry.
In a statement posted on NSosyal social media account following his official visit, Fidan noted discussions with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Foreign Minister Sugiono focused on ongoing cooperation and future joint initiatives between the two countries.
“Following our visit to Singapore, today’s engagements in our strategic partner Indonesia were highly productive in terms of advancing our multidimensional agenda,” Fidan said.
According to Fidan, the talks addressed cooperation in defense industries, transportation, energy, artificial intelligence and the halal food sector, as well as steps that could further strengthen bilateral ties.
He said both sides also reviewed projects aimed at achieving the $10 billion bilateral trade target set by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Prabowo Subianto.
“We evaluated in detail the projects that will help us reach the $10 billion trade volume target,” Fidan said, adding that the vision demonstrated by both governments showed their readiness to pursue more concrete and effective cooperation in the coming period.
In April 2025, President Erdoğan noted that they discussed steps that can be taken to raise the trade volume to the target of $10 billion in a balanced and mutual manner in a joint news conference with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, as both leaders vowed to further boost cooperation.
For his part, Subianto hailed Ankara’s role in regional affairs and said Indonesia wants to take part in KAAN and submarine projects.
“I invited Turkish companies to invest. As leaders of the Global South and strategic partners, Indonesia and Türkiye must take on the responsibility of shaping a new global order,” he said, and added, “Indonesia is interested in participating in the KAAN and submarine projects.”
The discussions also included regional and international issues, particularly developments in the Middle East and evolving strategic dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region.
Fidan said the two sides exchanged views on a range of global issues and reaffirmed their close coordination on the Palestinian issue.
He stressed that Türkiye and Indonesia would continue their intensive cooperation as two friendly nations sharing common values and goals.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Sudan’s Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Ankara on Tuesday, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to supporting efforts to end the conflict in Sudan while advancing cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy and defense.
The two leaders held talks at the Presidential Complex, where they reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional developments.
According to a statement released by the Presidential Communications Directorate, Erdoğan stressed that Türkiye continues to work toward ending the bloodshed in Sudan and supporting initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in the country.
The meeting also focused on expanding cooperation between Ankara and Khartoum across a range of strategic sectors. Erdoğan said efforts were underway to further strengthen ties in trade, agriculture, energy and defense, reflecting both countries’ interest in deepening their partnership.
Türkiye has maintained close diplomatic engagement with Sudan and has repeatedly voiced support for initiatives aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
Ankara has consistently emphasized the importance of preserving Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It has also called for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023, warning that continued instability poses risks to regional and global security.
Türkiye has also continued its diplomatic efforts and humanitarian assistance aimed at alleviating the suffering of the Sudanese people and supporting long-term stability in the country.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to pay an official visit to South Korea on June 4 as the two countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation in trade, technology, defense and regional security, Foreign Ministry sources said.
During the visit, Fidan is expected to hold talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and deliver a speech at a conference hosted by Korea University.
According to ministry sources, discussions will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new areas of cooperation between the two countries, whose relationship was elevated to the level of a strategic partnership in 2012.
Fidan is expected to underline the shared commitment of Ankara and Seoul to further deepen political and economic relations. The talks are also expected to address ways to increase trade and investment between the two countries.
South Korea is Türkiye’s second-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, with bilateral trade reaching $11.3 billion in 2025.
The ministers are also expected to discuss updating the existing Free Trade Agreement to broaden its scope and encourage greater mutual investment. South Korean direct investment in Türkiye has surpassed $3.5 billion, while more than 430 South Korean-funded companies currently operate in the country.
Cooperation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, next-generation battery systems and transportation infrastructure, is expected to feature prominently in the talks.
The two sides are also expected to evaluate partnership opportunities in nuclear and renewable energy projects, as well as joint initiatives related to the reconstruction of Ukraine, Syria and Palestine. Potential cooperation projects in Central Asia and Africa are also expected to be discussed.
Defense industry cooperation will be another key item on the agenda. Sources said Fidan is expected to highlight the successful collaboration demonstrated through the Altay main battle tank project and discuss potential joint initiatives involving unmanned aerial vehicle technologies and other defense programs.
Regional and international developments, including the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran, Syria, Palestine and developments in East Asia, are also expected to be reviewed.
Türkiye-South Korea ties
Türkiye and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1957, and their ties were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2012.
The ninth meeting of the Türkiye-South Korea Joint Economic and Technical Cooperation Commission (JETCO) was held in Seoul in February 2026. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last visited South Korea on May 2-3, 2018. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung paid an official visit to Türkiye on Nov. 24-25, 2025, during which five agreements were signed and a Joint Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Türkiye and South Korea was issued. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also paid a working visit to Türkiye on Jan. 21, 2026.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli lashed out at Israel and urged the Muslim world to show solidarity against Israel’s aggression. The leader of the government ally suggested the “Jerusalem Pact” of unity in the Islamic world to stop “rogue Israel.”
Addressing the parliamentary group meeting of his party in Ankara on Tuesday, Bahçeli highlighted persecution in Gaza, Jerusalem and all across the Palestinian territories. “This is a test for the Muslim ummah.” He stated that remaining silent in the face of this test and turning our backs on one another in a state of fragmentation was an indication of a religious, moral and conscientious collapse.
Because a strong unity cannot be secured among Islamic countries, there is a desire to divide, shatter, weaken and ultimately dominate the Islamic geography in line with Zionist goals, Bahçeli stressed.
“How much more suffering will it take to see this plain truth? How many more innocent children will have to be slaughtered, and how many more parents will have to burn and suffer with the pain of losing their children? Once again, I emphatically remind everyone that our proposal for a ‘Jerusalem Pact’ must be taken seriously in order for the Islamic world to stand up, to put an end to the Muslim outcry, and for lasting peace and stability. There is a need for a tighter and stronger regional alliance that encompasses all regional dialogue and cooperation grounds based on Palestine or Jerusalem. The Islamic world must stand up, and Israeli banditry must be put in its place. Palestine must be liberated, the holy lands must attain peace, and the shadow of imperialism cast upon the Islamic geography must be destroyed, never to return,” he said.
The People’s Alliance, which the MHP is part of along with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), is a staunch opponent of Israel’s genocidal actions in Palestine and expansionist policies. Türkiye long labored to mobilize the international community to stop Israel’s acts of aggression, in the face of massive support by the West to the Netanyahu administration and/or inaction in the face of Israel’s barbaric acts leading to the slaughter of tens of thousands of Palestinians since 2023.
Stating that the United Nations is on its “deathbed,” Bahçeli expressed that unions like the European Union and NATO are losing blood by the day. Drawing attention to the fact that the order established after World War II is shaken to its core, Bahçeli emphasized that while the power and sovereignty of the West are weakening, the weight of the East in the world economy and politics is increasing.
“While the search for a new balance in the world has begun, it is certainly possible, and just as essential, for the Islamic geography to stand united and emerge as a new center of power. Türkiye is ready for this. The Turkish nation is in favor of creating a strong unity consisting of the Turkish world and the Islamic world,” he said.
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