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Türkiye aims for regional solutions as it brings together Balkan countries

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With the Balkan Peace Platform meeting held in Istanbul on Saturday, Türkiye strives to ensure stability in its immediate region, with which it has historical ties.

The Balkans are not only strategic for Türkiye but also a priority area intertwined with cultural and human ties, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday.

“The stability of the Balkans is of great importance primarily for Europe, as well as for the peace and security of neighboring regions,” Fidan told a press conference following the meeting in Istanbul.

Fidan emphasized that the participants agreed to produce “regional solutions for regional problems” at the meeting, stating that they would address issues as they arose.

He noted ongoing discussions to raise awareness and expressed satisfaction with the shared common ground, adding that they decided to meet again every six months, with Istanbul continuing as the platform’s center for now.

The foreign minister also described the inaugural Balkan Peace Platform as an informal format and said there is a consensus to bring leaders together under this framework once progress is made.

Fidan recalled tensions between some Balkan countries but welcomed the fact that “no one wants a hot war or conflict like in the past,” emphasizing a consensus around resolving issues through diplomacy and dialogue.

He noted that while the region often focuses on problems, missing opportunities have negative economic and security consequences.

He highlighted a shared awareness and mental agreement on setting aside certain issues to pursue peaceful cooperation and enhanced connectivity in economic and other areas, calling this consensus the platform’s greatest achievement for the continuation of regional peace.

The meeting hosted the foreign ministers and top officials of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania. The platform aims to foster dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation among regional countries and to develop lasting solutions to regional issues.

The Balkan Peace Platform has been developed within the framework of Türkiye’s innovative diplomacy understanding and is an initiative that aims to respond to the region’s needs. Türkiye has become a remarkable actor in the Balkans as a natural result of economic growth and foreign policy versatility in the last 20 years. Ankara emphasizes peace, stability and good neighborliness in the Balkans. It offers solutions to the region’s chronic problems, as it believes that addressing expansionist nationalist tendencies and overcoming the issues created by micro-nationalism is only possible through the sovereign equality of states.

In this context, Türkiye is attentive to minorities living within the borders of the Balkan states, not to be discriminated against and to protect the identities of those peoples. Apart from its diplomatic missions, it also provides economic, technical and humanitarian aid to Balkan countries through semi-official institutions such as the Yunus Emre Institutes, the Turkish Red Crescent (Kızılay), the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) and the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

As part of Türkiye’s initiatives in the Balkans, Belgrade and Ankara initiated the trilateral consultation mechanism with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Furthermore, Ankara regularly participates in structures such as the Southeast European Cooperation Process, the Regional Cooperation Council, and the Steering Committee of the Peace Implementation Council in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The country also contributes to regional stability through the NATO KFOR and EUFOR Althea movements.

The KFOR started its duty in Kosovo on June 12, 1999, following a U.N. Security Council decision to ensure security and stability. The mission has over 4,500 international military personnel from 27 countries, including 21 NATO members and six non-NATO partner countries. Ankara took command of NATO’s KFOR on Oct. 9, 2023, the first time it has done so. Among 27 NATO member countries and partners, Türkiye has the second-largest contingent in the KFOR, contributing at least 780 of its approximately 4,500 soldiers. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by many countries, including Türkiye. However, Belgrade has never recognized Kosovo and claims it remains part of Serbia. Türkiye maintains good relations with both Kosovo and Serbia.

Noting that the initiative to convene the Balkan Peace Platform came at the directive of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Fidan said regional leaders showed strong interest in the proposal.

Highlighting the Balkans as a strategic crossroads connecting Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Fidan emphasized the region’s historical significance in political, economic and security matters.

He also emphasized that bilateral cooperation with regional countries is evolving on multiple levels, with high-level contacts continually expanding into new areas.

“We believe that stability in the Balkans will become permanent primarily through strengthened cooperation and dialogue among regional countries. This approach is based on the principle of regional ownership,” he said.

He stated that the Balkan Peace Platform represents a new step in regional ownership, aiming to establish a practical and effective structure that fosters honest dialogue and regular communication among all parties.

The foreign minister expressed their aim to create a foundation where the term Balkans is associated not with division and fragmentation, but with cooperation and solidarity, striving to contribute to the prosperity and peace of both the region and its neighbors.

“We aim to support existing mechanisms rather than replace any process. We offer a framework that supports the efforts of the international community, particularly the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue process,” Fidan said, adding that participants had come together today to find solutions to Balkan issues and develop concrete projects.

“We cannot leave our future to chance or the hands of others,” Fidan said, adding that they discussed regional issues with participants, emphasizing that establishing stability and prosperity across the Balkans is a top priority.

“We exchanged views on various topics, including political developments, energy security, strengthening connectivity, regional cooperation and capacity-building opportunities. We also evaluated the future of the Balkan Peace Platform, aiming for it to serve as a complementary format to existing initiatives in the region,” he said.

The foreign minister highlighted a shared commitment to hold regular meetings and prioritize projects that will concretely advance regional cooperation.

He also stressed that in today’s global crises and rising uncertainties, joint solutions are essential, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen regional dialogue and noting that decisions about their region must be made collectively.

Fidan expressed hope that the Balkan Peace Platform will serve this purpose, adding that the initiative was launched with a joint effort to build a Balkans that collaborates and embraces its diversity as a strength.

EU accession

On the concrete decisions made during today’s talks, Fidan recalled that six of the seven participating countries are EU membership candidates and said, “One of our common agenda items was how we can share experiences within the EU accession process,” focusing on coordinated positions and raising regional awareness in Brussels.

Fidan said the Balkan Peace Platform offers a valuable forum for discussing shared experiences on EU visa and customs union policies, regional challenges tied to EU accession, and mutual awareness of sensitivities between the EU and the Balkans.

“Historically, geographically and culturally, these countries are a continuation of one another,” Fidan said. Stressing the importance of joint action, he added that regional nations agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, economy, politics and defense based on their mutual interdependence.

He noted that the EU is developing two projects funded by special funds – the European Security Action (SAFE) and Rearm Europe (European rearmament plan) – that grant specific rights to member states and have different provisions concerning candidate countries.

He added that a joint decision was made to collaborate on issues concerning candidate countries.

Fidan emphasized the need for defense industry cooperation beyond SAFE and Rearm Europe, highlighting the different capacities among countries, noting that this topic was also on the agenda.

Interest in the Balkans

Fidan highlighted the growing interest of Turkish tourists in Balkan countries, especially among young people, emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding through education and observation.

He noted that Turkish tourists rank first in visitor numbers across six Balkan countries, with tours to cities like Belgrade, Pristina, Skopje and Tirana becoming increasingly popular.

He added that these countries welcome this trend, while Istanbul and other parts of Türkiye also remain major attractions for tourism and business, emphasizing the need to develop further and better assess these connections.

Russia-Ukraine

Fidan underlined that one key agenda of the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul is bringing the leaders together.

He recalled that Russia and Ukraine expressed their willingness to meet in Istanbul under Türkiye’s hosting, but noted that ongoing negotiations continue over the timing and conditions of the meeting. “As negotiators, we are making efforts to find a middle ground between Ukraine and Russia’s differing positions.”

He pointed out increasing agreements on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts, saying: “Both sides are showing goodwill and effort to implement this, which greatly pleases our president and us.”

Fidan highlighted U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in the cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine, adding: “Our president wants to accelerate this process.

He is a firm believer in leaders’ diplomacy, believing that certain deadlocks between negotiating teams can be resolved through a leaders’ meeting. “We may take initiative to make this possible,” he added.

The foreign minister said that both the Russian and Ukrainian leaders are willing to meet, but there is a disagreement over the conditions for such a meeting.

He said the disagreement is not over whether the leaders should meet, but rather over the conditions, timing and agenda of the meeting, stressing that progress must first be made at the delegation level.

Fidan expressed hope that, once the groundwork is laid, a trilateral meeting hosted by Erdoğan in Istanbul could take place in the near future.



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AK Party marks 25 years as Türkiye’s dominant political force

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Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), founded under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Aug. 14, 2001, marked its 25th anniversary Friday, completing a quarter-century in which it has won every general election it has contested and reshaped the country’s political landscape.

Established as Türkiye’s 39th political party by a movement led by Erdoğan, then a former Istanbul mayor, the AK Party entered national politics with a pledge for sweeping political change.

“From now on, nothing in Türkiye will be the same,” Erdoğan said at the party’s launch. Two days later, he was unanimously elected its chair.

Just 15 months after its establishment, the AK Party won the Nov. 3, 2002, general election with 34.28% of the vote. Erdoğan was barred from running because of a political ban, and Abdullah Gül formed the 58th government.

Erdoğan enters Parliament

After legal changes lifted his political ban, Erdoğan won a parliamentary seat in a rerun election in the southeastern province of Siirt on March 9, 2003.

Following Gül’s resignation as prime minister, Erdoğan formed Türkiye’s 59th government on March 15, beginning more than a decade as premier.

The AK Party consolidated its position in subsequent elections, receiving 41.7% in the 2004 local elections and 46.58% in the 2007 general election.

The party faced one of its most serious legal challenges in 2008 when Türkiye’s chief prosecutor filed a case seeking its closure and political bans for 71 figures, including Erdoğan and Gül.

Six Constitutional Court judges voted to close the party and five opposed the move, falling short of the qualified majority required for a ban.

Referendums, election victories

A constitutional referendum in September 2010 became another milestone for the party, with 57.88% voting in favor of a package of constitutional amendments.

The AK Party subsequently received 49.83% of the vote in the 2011 general election, one of its highest nationwide vote shares.

In 2014, Erdoğan shifted from the prime minister’s office to the presidency. He won 51.79% of the vote on Aug. 10, becoming Türkiye’s first president elected directly by popular vote.

Ahmet Davutoğlu succeeded Erdoğan as AK Party chair. After the June 2015 election produced no single-party government, the AK Party regained its parliamentary majority in the Nov. 1 snap election.

Binali Yıldırım became party chair and prime minister in May 2016.

Presidential system changes

Türkiye’s political trajectory changed sharply with the July 15, 2016, coup attempt by the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).

Erdoğan called on citizens to take to the streets and public squares, while resistance to the coup attempt helped foster closer political cooperation between the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), laying the groundwork for the People’s Alliance.

A constitutional referendum on April 16, 2017, approved a shift to an executive presidential system with 51.41% support.

The changes also allowed the president to retain party membership. Erdoğan rejoined the AK Party after 979 days and was reelected its chair at an extraordinary congress in May 2017.

The AK Party and MHP contested the June 24, 2018, elections under the People’s Alliance, as Türkiye held presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously for the first time.

Erdoğan won the presidency with 52.59%, becoming the first president under the new system, while the AK Party received 42.56% in the parliamentary vote.

The alliance continued into the 2019 local elections, in which the AK Party received 44.33% nationwide.

The COVID-19 pandemic later disrupted the party’s congress process, but its seventh ordinary congress was eventually held in March 2021, with Erdoğan again elected chair.

Erdoğan wins new term in 2023

Türkiye returned to the polls in May 2023 for presidential and parliamentary elections.

Erdoğan received 49.52% in the first presidential round, forcing a runoff. The AK Party received 35.62% of the parliamentary vote and secured 268 seats.

Erdoğan defeated his challenger in the May 28 runoff with 52.18%, securing another presidential term.

The victory extended the AK Party’s record of finishing first in every general election it had contested since its establishment and maintained its position as the longest-governing party since Türkiye entered its multiparty era in 1946.

The March 31, 2024, local elections represented a setback for the AK Party, which received 35.49% of the vote and won 24 provincial and 357 district municipalities.

Erdoğan acknowledged the message delivered by voters and pledged to evaluate the results, after which the party began replacing provincial and district officials.

That renewal accelerated at the AK Party’s eighth ordinary congress on Feb. 23, 2025. Thirty-nine new members joined its Central Decision and Management Board, renewing 52% of the body.

Further organizational changes followed, including replacements of provincial chairs in 15 provinces.

‘Terror-free Türkiye’ initiative

One of the latest chapters in the AK Party’s quarter-century in politics has been the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, which followed a call by MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli in October 2024 and was subsequently backed by Erdoğan.

A parliamentary National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission began work in August 2025 to address terrorism, social integration, national unity, democracy and the rule of law.

The commission adopted its report in February 2026.

A bill setting out the legal framework for the process was submitted to Parliament on Aug. 5, 2026. The legislation links its implementation to an official determination that the PKK terrorist group and affiliated structures have ended their operational existence and surrendered weapons under their control.

Parliament approved the legislation on Aug. 10 with 467 votes in favor, 87 against and seven abstentions.



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TRNC leaders commemorate Turkish Cypriots killed in 1974

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Turkish Cypriot leaders on Friday commemorated the victims of the 1974 killings in the villages of Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar, marking the 52nd anniversary of one of the deadliest episodes of intercommunal violence on the divided island.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Tufan Erhürman and Prime Minister Ünal Üstel paid tribute to Turkish Cypriots killed on Aug. 14, 1974, according to the Turkish News Agency Cyprus (TAK).

Commemoration ceremonies were held at cemeteries in Muratağa, Sandallar and Atlılar, where officials laid wreaths, observed moments of silence and attended prayers for the victims.

Speaking at the Muratağa-Sandallar cemetery, Erhürman said the victims represented the suffering endured by the Turkish Cypriot community during the conflict.

“Each of our martyrs lying here is the most concrete indication of the suffering experienced and the heavy price paid by the Turkish Cypriot people,” Erhürman said.

He criticized what he described as international silence over the killings, saying the lack of acknowledgment raised questions about the international community’s approach to the events.

Üstel, in a separate message marking Aug. 14, described the date as one associated with both resistance and deep suffering in Turkish Cypriot history.

He said Turkish Cypriots had refused to abandon their homeland, freedom or future despite years of violence and pressure, adding that they continued to show the same determination in the face of what he called “unjust isolation and embargoes.”

On Aug. 14, 1974, armed Greek Cypriot groups, including members of the ultranationalist EOKA terrorist group, attacked the three Turkish Cypriot villages.

A total of 126 Turkish Cypriots, many of them women and children, were killed. The youngest victim was 16-day-old Selden Ali Faik, while the oldest was 95-year-old Hüseyin Osman.

A mass grave in Atlılar was discovered on Aug. 20, 1974, after the second phase of Türkiye’s operation on Cyprus began.

The victims in Muratağa and Sandallar were discovered in early September after a shepherd noticed a hand protruding from the ground.

The mass graves were later opened in the presence of United Nations observers, and the remains of the victims were identified before being reburied at cemeteries.

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FM Fidan meets Arab League chief, Egypt intel head in el-Alamein

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met Thursday with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy and Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief Maj. Gen. Hassan Rashad in the coastal city of el-Alamein, the Foreign Ministry said.

Fidan began a two-day visit to Egypt on Thursday.

During the visit, Fidan is scheduled to be received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and meet senior Egyptian officials, according to Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

He will discuss bilateral relations, review the current status of agreements under negotiation and encourage mutual investment in line with a common goal of increasing bilateral trade volume to $15 billion, diplomatic sources said.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy in el-Alamein, Egypt, Aug.13, 2026. (Handout)

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy in el-Alamein, Egypt, Aug.13, 2026. (Handout)

The Turkish foreign minister will also discuss cooperation in hydrocarbons, electricity grid integration, energy infrastructure and mining, according to the sources.

Fidan will assess steps that can be taken to advance existing cooperation in the military and defense industries and emphasize the importance of addressing regional issues through dialogue and diplomacy on the basis of regional ownership and shared responsibility, the sources said.

He will also underline Türkiye’s determination to continue joint efforts bilaterally and through multilateral platforms such as the R4 initiative, which brings together the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Egypt, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The visit will include the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group, co-chaired by Fidan and Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, according to the sources.

The meeting will review the outcomes of the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, held in Cairo in February, and prepare for a third meeting planned in Türkiye in 2028.

Fidan will express support for diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the sources said.

He will also stress the importance of immediately halting ongoing attacks in Gaza, fully implementing the ceasefire and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid.

The minister is expected to exchange views on implementing the second phase of the Gaza Peace Plan and Israel’s attacks on Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, according to the sources.

Fidan will underline the need to continue joint efforts to ensure lasting stability and security in Libya based on the country’s territorial integrity and political unity.

He will also reaffirm Türkiye’s support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, the sources said.

Fidan will share assessments on the roles and contributions Türkiye and Egypt can make toward establishing lasting peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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President Erdoğan meets DEM Party delegation, families of fallen soldiers

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar, members of the PKK-linked Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party’s (DEM Party) Imralı delegation, and held a meeting with the families of fallen soldiers and veterans at the Presidential Complex in Ankara on Thursday.

The closed-door meeting lasted about one hour and 40 minutes and was also attended by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) acting Chair Efkan Ala and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalın.

No statement was immediately issued following the meeting.

Buldan and Sancar have served as intermediaries in contacts with jailed PKK terrorist ringleader Abdullah Öcalan on Imralı Island as part of Türkiye’s terror-free initiative.

Later Thursday, Erdoğan received families of fallen soldiers and veterans at the Presidential Complex.

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş attended the meeting and said Türkiye would continue to honor the memory of its fallen soldiers, recognize the sacrifices of its veterans and stand by their families.

In a statement on social media, Erdoğan later said that he had met with the families of fallen soldiers and veterans at the Presidential Complex.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds a meeting with the families of fallen soldiers and veterans in Ankara, Aug. 13, 2026. (AA Photo)

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds a meeting with the families of fallen soldiers and veterans in Ankara, Aug. 13, 2026. (AA Photo)

“The homeland where we live freely, in peace and security, is entrusted to us by our fallen soldiers and veterans. The families of those who sacrificed their lives and shed their blood to protect the unity and integrity of this country are also entrusted to us,” Erdoğan said.

He said the state had mobilized all available resources to support veterans and the families of fallen soldiers and would continue to do so.

Referring to Türkiye’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, Erdoğan said Parliament had taken an important step this week as part of efforts to eliminate terrorism from the country.

“Türkiye has reached this stage, above all, thanks to the heroic struggle of our nation’s sons and daughters, the resilience of your families and the achievements our state has made, particularly in the defense industry in recent years,” he said.

“God willing, by acting with patience, common sense and composure, we will rid Türkiye of this scourge once and for all,” Erdoğan added.

The talks come after Parliament approved the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration, commonly referred to as the “framework law,” with broad parliamentary support.

Parliament on Monday passed a landmark 12-article law supporting the country’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, following months of political efforts led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli.

The Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration was approved with 468 votes in favor and 88 against, with six abstentions.

The legislation forms a key part of the legal framework surrounding the ongoing “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, which seeks to bring an end to decades of terrorism and strengthen social integration.

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Turkish FM Fidan stresses strategic importance of Ankara-Cairo ties

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Türkiye and Egypt will continue to deepen bilateral ties based on mutual trust and shared interests as the two regional powers seek to contribute to peace and stability, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday following a visit to Egypt.

Fidan said in a statement shared on the Turkish social media platform NSosyal, that the visit provided an important opportunity to discuss what he described as the “excellent level” of bilateral cooperation between Ankara and Cairo, as well as regional developments.

“Strengthening cooperation between our countries serves not only the common interests of our peoples but also the establishment of peace, stability and prosperity in our region.”

The minister noted that Türkiye and Egypt were two major states acting with an awareness of the responsibilities placed on them by their history and geography.

During the visit, Fidan and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, co-chaired the second meeting of the Türkiye-Egypt Joint Planning Group.

Fidan also held talks with Egyptian General Intelligence Service chief Hassan Rashad and Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy.

The two sides signed agreements aimed at increasing bilateral trade, diversifying economic relations and strengthening connectivity between the countries, he said.

It was also added that Ankara and Cairo would continue working “shoulder to shoulder” in line with the vision of their presidents to further strengthen bilateral relations.

Egypt is one of Türkiye’s leading trade and export partners in Africa. Bilateral trade reached about $8 billion in 2025, with the two countries aiming to increase the figure to $15 billion, a target set by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and el-Sissi.

Turkish investments in Egypt have exceeded $4 billion, underscoring the growing economic ties between the two countries. Turkish-owned companies currently contribute to the employment of about 100,000 Egyptians.

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Abbas meets Erdoğan as tensions stoked by Israel threaten Palestine

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Invited by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Ankara on Tuesday.

Erdoğan hosted a welcoming ceremony for Abbas on Wednesday before the two leaders sat down for talks on the future of Palestine and Israel’s actions undermining hopes for a solution.

The two leaders, who were scheduled to hold a joint news conference later on Wednesday, focused on the latest developments regarding Palestine, bilateral ties between Ankara and Ramallah, and regional developments.

Israel’s attacks on Gaza, international efforts against its attempts to annex the West Bank, and steps taken by the Netanyahu government to expel Palestinians from their territories, both through its genocidal campaign in Gaza and through illegal settlements, were expected to be on the agenda during the meeting.

According to the latest U.N. secretary-general’s report on settlements, Israeli authorities advanced or approved plans to build 4,750 settlement units in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, between March 14 and June 12.

On March 25, the Israeli government also approved the establishment or legalization of 34 illegal settlements in Area C of the West Bank, the largest number approved in a single Israeli government decision, according to the same U.N. report.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 affirms that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including occupied East Jerusalem, have “no legal validity” and constitute a flagrant violation of international law.

The meeting was also expected to address attacks on holy sites, such as Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, led by Israeli politicians, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and initiatives led by Türkiye. The Gaza peace plan and reconstruction efforts in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, were also expected to be discussed.

Türkiye champions the Palestinian cause on every platform and seeks to be a voice for Palestinians in the international community. President Erdoğan raises the issue at international events, and this is also expected to be the case at next month’s United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.

Thanks to Türkiye’s diplomatic initiatives, the number of leaders and influential figures speaking out against Israel has increased. Ankara continues its efforts to intensify international pressure on Israel while consistently raising the Palestinian cause and Israel’s aggression on every platform.

On Gaza, Türkiye has consistently supported an immediate cease-fire, expanded humanitarian access, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, while remaining among the strongest international critics of Israel’s attacks. Working in close strategic alignment with Doha, Ankara has coordinated joint mediation efforts alongside Qatar and regional partners to enforce a lasting cease-fire, secure uninterrupted humanitarian relief and advance diplomatic channels for a comprehensive regional peace settlement.

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