FM Fidan urges UNSC to recognize Palestine

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Sunday that with Spain, Norway, Ireland and Slovenia recognizing Palestine as a state, the total number of countries recognizing Palestine has reached 150, emphasizing that this milestone is of the utmost importance.

He emphasized that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) must immediately recognize Palestine as a state as 150 countries have done so.

Fidan made these remarks while evaluating the meetings on Palestine he attended in Brussels for the press.

Fidan noted they participated in three important meetings concerning Palestine in Brussels. These gatherings, jointly organized by European Union (EU) member states and the Palestine Contact Group, were described as a significant series of meetings to raise awareness about Palestine.

According to Fidan, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa presented in the first meeting, sharing the current financial, administrative and other crises faced by the Ramallah administration.

Fidan noted that these are well-known issues and Mustafa again highlighted the hardships faced by the Palestinian administration because of the Israeli occupation, providing statistics to support his points.

Fidan pointed out the growing sympathy and support of the international community for the Palestinian cause and stated that they observed this trend in the meetings.

Regarding Türkiye’s stance on Palestine, Fidan said: “While appreciating the international support given to the Palestinian administration since the Oslo Accords, the main goal should be not just supporting Palestine but establishing a state with freedom and sovereignty. When Palestine takes control of its state and initiative, it will undoubtedly revive its economy.”

This is our fundamental message. Otherwise, leaving Palestine as merely an administration deprived of sovereignty and economic initiative only turns it into a political entity reliant on aid, which benefits neither the Palestinian people, the Palestinian cause, nor the Palestinian administration.”

He noted that this view is widely accepted and emphasized that the statehood process in Palestine is crucial not only for preventing conflicts but also for enabling Palestine to stand on its own two feet.

‘Palestinian recognition by 150 countries significant’

Fidan stated that the second meeting’s agenda was more strategic, emphasizing the practical steps that Palestine could take toward statehood. He noted that the world is well aware of the issues in both Gaza and Ramallah and discussed how to proceed after accepting the two-state solution.

Fidan highlighted the recognition of Palestine as a state by four additional European countries, saying: “The recognition of Palestine by Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia, bringing the total to 150, is a significant milestone. As Türkiye, we emphasize the United Nations Security Council should immediately recognize that an entity recognized by 150 countries. This is a requirement of international law and human conscience. The international system is already in a deep crisis. If a state recognized by 150 countries is rejected by a single vote in the UNSC, it will deepen this crisis and lead to the complete collapse of the international system.”

“Even if the UNSC does not recognize it, what matters next is that 150 countries, at our call, treat Palestine as a real state, just as Türkiye does,” Fidan further said.

Emphasizing symbolic and practical measures such as opening embassies, diplomatic protocols and economic relations despite Palestine’s occupation, Fidan stated: “Palestine cannot exercise its economic freedom or political sovereignty.

However, we must treat Palestine as a complete state and support it.”

‘Netanyahu trying to promote reality where Israel exists’

Fidan stressed the importance of keeping the 1967 borders in people’s memories and official documents, stating, “The Netanyahu administration is trying to promote to the world a reality where the 1967 borders no longer exist, and only Israel exists. The world, especially after Oct. 7, has begun to resist this illusion, this propaganda, and this lie systematically and qualitatively.”

Fidan added that Türkiye, along with its allies and other countries, is doing its utmost to advance this resistance professionally and systematically. “This week, as the Contact Group, we will visit Spain and congratulate them,” he said.

He pointed out that his visit to Spain would provide an opportunity to send a meaningful message to the world about Palestine’s statehood and reiterated that Türkiye will continue its relentless efforts to support Palestine’s statehood and bring peace to the Middle East.