UPDATE 'Aggression' against Brazil's Lula 'unacceptable,' says Turkish foreign minister

UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AND SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - The situation in Brazil after protesters stormed government buildings is "unacceptable," the Turkish foreign minister said on Tuesday.

"It is outrageous and unacceptable. We are very concerned," Mevlut Cavusoglu said, referring to recent incidents in Brazil during a joint press conference with South African International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor in Pretoria, the South African capital.

Türkiye released a strong statement condemning the "aggression" in Brazil, he said.

In Brazil, Cavusoglu said he was in Brazil together with Pandor for the Jan. 1 swearing-in ceremony of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to power as president for a third term.

"It was the will of the Brazilian people," he said, adding it should be accepted by all. "I hope stability and common sense will prevail."

Cavusoglu's remarks came after hundreds of supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the Congress building, shouted slogans, and demanded intervention by the army. They broke through a police barrier and entered the Congress building.

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Cavusoglu said Türkiye has been working hard to end the war. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been very committed to peace and a cease-fire, he said.

"Our goal is obviously a just peace and mutually acceptable solution," he said, adding that Türkiye believes the war “will end up at the negotiation table."

Despite the war in Ukraine, Ankara proved that diplomacy pays off, he said. Along with the landmark grain deal, and the exchange of prisoners, he added, "there are many other talks that have been going on in Istanbul, particularly, we have been hosting, facilitating, and brokering.”

Meanwhile, engagement with both sides will be "useful and important to end this war," he added.

On food security, he said this summer’s grain deal was a "kind of relief for the people and the countries in need." African countries should receive more fertilizer and grains, he added..

- Bilateral ties

Türkiye "firmly believes that the future belongs to Africa," he said, adding that we are "walking the road to peace and prosperity together."

The trade volume has increased 50%, and exceeded $3 billion in 2022, he said.

"Actors like Türkiye and South Africa, we believe that we can make a difference in addressing these challenges that we have been facing together," he said, adding that states keep their partnerships alive through mutual visits.

As G-20 members and global actors, we have "similar views on many issues. We are vocal about the need to make the international system more effective and inclusive," he noted.

"This year, we wish to hold the first binational commission meeting in Türkiye. We want to organize a fourth joint economic commission meeting in Türkiye to discuss all aspects of our economic cooperation," he said.

A memorandum of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation was signed between our relevant authorities, he added.

For her part, Pandor praised Türkiye's success in its mediating efforts on the grain deal, prisoner swap, and other areas.

On the relationship between South Africa and Türkiye, Pandor said: "The momentum that is illustrated by Cavusoglu's visit is absolutely true.

"We agreed in our meeting with Cavusoglu that we need to ensure that the structural mechanism is actually functioning," Pandor added.

“Hopefully, Ankara this year will host a binational commission which is an already established mechanism," she said, adding that South Africa would like to take part in the economic commission.