Türkiye urges global push for permanent Gaza cease-fire
FM Hakan Fidan (3rd L), Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (L), Espen Barth Eide, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway (2nd L) and Vice-President of the European Commission and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (4th L) attend a meeting of the Gaza Contact Group at the Moncloa Prime Ministerial Residence in Madrid, Spain League, September 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
A ministerial meeting in Madrid involving the Arab-Islamic Contact Group on Gaza and several EU members expressed deep concern over increasing violations of international law in Palestinian territories and called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, alongside other members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League Contact Group on Gaza, attended the meeting. The gathering also included EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and foreign ministers from Spain, Norway, Slovenia, Nigeria, and Ireland.
Key points from the meeting:
- Discussions focused on halting Israel’s military actions in Gaza and addressing crimes in the West Bank, emphasizing the need for a cease-fire.
- Participants reviewed ongoing cease-fire negotiations and humanitarian aid efforts, with a focus on measures for recognizing Palestine and reaching a two-state solution.
- A joint statement called on the international community to recognize Palestine and support a two-state solution. It also urged for urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza and supported the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The meeting concluded with plans to hold another session in New York during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week at the end of September.
Türkiye to push for permanent cease-fire
During the meeting, FM Fidan emphasized the need for increased joint efforts for Palestine’s full membership in the UN and called for more international recognition. He also advocated for countries to join the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“Türkiye will continue to work toward an immediate and permanent cease-fire in Palestine, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and pushing for the recognition of Palestine and a two-state solution,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry statement concluded.
