Erdogan and Raisi Meet: Israeli Inhumane Attacks on Gaza Must Stop

(Patria) - Turkiye and Iran have agreed on the importance of avoiding steps that would further endanger the region's security and stability, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday after concluding a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Ankara.

"We discussed the need to stop Israel's inhumane attacks on Gaza and take urgent steps towards establishing a just and lasting peace," Erdogan said.

Erdogan condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Kerman on January 3, stating that Turkiye stands with Iran in the fight against terrorism.

Stating that they attach importance to deepening relations with Iran based on mutual trust and common interests, and that they have reaffirmed this will at the Council meetings, Erdogan emphasized that the decisions made within the framework of the Council meeting are important not only for Turkiye and Iran but also for the stability and prosperity of the region.

Erdogan stated that during the meetings held today, they discussed concrete areas of cooperation and regional and international developments, especially Israel's attacks in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

"We exchanged views on issues on our bilateral agenda, from the fight against terrorism to energy, from trade to education. We talked about the decisions we made at previous sessions of our council," Erdogan said.

Stating that progress has been made in the context of the annual trade target of 30 billion dollars with Iran, especially after the coronavirus epidemic, Erdogan said that they are aware of the need to "run faster" on this path and that they have discussed the steps to be taken in this regard.

"We once again emphasized the importance of the increasing support of our neighbor Iran in the fight against terrorism. We touched upon the importance of further strengthening our cooperation against the PKK/PYD/YPG and PJAK, which target the security of our countries and the region. We signed 10 new agreements to improve our relations," Erdogan said.

He added that he discussed the latest developments in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the South Caucasus with his colleague Raisi.

He recalled that Turkiye has sent more than 30,000 tons of materials and humanitarian aid to Palestinians since October 7, including 26,000 tons of flour, to the port of Al-Arish in northeastern Egypt.

"We discussed the need to stop Israel's inhumane attacks on Gaza as soon as possible and to take urgent steps towards establishing a just and lasting peace. We reiterated our support for the just cause of Palestine and renewed our determination to continue cooperation on this issue. We agreed on the importance of avoiding steps that would further endanger the security and stability of our region," Erdogan said.