UPDATE - Türkiye hopes decisions to recognize state of Palestine will speed up implementation of 2-state solution: President Erdogan

UPDATE WITH FURTHER REMARKS FROM TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Serdar Dincel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye hopes that various countries announcing their recognition of the state of Palestine will accelerate implementation of a two-state solution, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday.

What makes this week’s UN General Assembly different from previous ones is that many countries will recognize the state of Palestine, Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul ahead of his departure for the General Assembly summit in New York.

Stressing Ankara welcomes the growing number of countries recognizing Palestine, he reiterated Türkiye's continued support for Palestine.

On Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa attending this year’s General Assembly, the Turkish president said Ankara will not abandon Damascus and will use all the means at its disposal every day to help make its neighbor stronger.

Türkiye will host both Sharaa and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Ankara soon, he said, adding that "we will also have the opportunity to meet with them" at New York’s Turkevi Center, or Turkish House, during the General Assembly.

Erdogan also expressed his belief that the General Assembly will contribute to lasting peace for Syrians.

- Türkiye to keep backing UN reform efforts

Expressing Ankara's view that the current UN structure, which reflects the conditions of 80 years ago, is inadequate to fulfill its fundamental duties, Erdogan said there is no justification for leaving the resolution of humanitarian crises at the mercy of the countries holding veto power in the UN Security Council.

"We declared this painful truth 12 years ago from the UN podium, declaring: 'The world is greater than five.'

"In the ensuing years, the validity of our assessment has been repeatedly confirmed. Even at the secretary-general level, the urgent need for reform of the UN has begun to be openly expressed," he stressed.

Türkiye has always supported UN reform efforts, and will continue to do so, the president added.

On his speech this year to the General Assembly, set for Tuesday, Erdogan said he will specifically address the humanitarian disaster and atrocities in Gaza.

"I will also touch on Türkiye's efforts to ensure stability in the region and its contributions to maintain international peace," he stated.

Stressing that he will also push for the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, Erdogan added: "I will once again have the opportunity to explain to the entire world Türkiye's foreign policy, which is pursued with a profound vision, approach, and perspective inspired by the double-headed Seljuk Eagle."

- Meeting with Trump, other world leaders

Noting that he plans to hold meetings with world leaders as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Erdogan said they will discuss joint steps that can be taken to stop the bloodshed in Gaza together with the leaders of brotherly nations at a regional meeting on Gaza to be held with the participation of US President Donald Trump.

While in New York, he will also meet with the Turkish-American community and Turkish and US business circles, he said.

Underlining that he would travel to Washington, DC on Thursday to meet with Trump, Erdogan said they will discuss issues that will strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly trade, investment, and the defense industry.

"Regional issues will certainly be at the top of our agenda. The importance of our close consultation and coordination as two friends and allies is growing clearer every day," he said.

Reiterating Ankara's support for Trump's vision of global peace and the efforts he has made towards this end, the president added: "We believe that a just peace will have no losers.

"We, as leaders, have a great responsibility to preserve peace, strengthen stability, and end conflicts and tensions in our region."

From the very beginning, Türkiye has always worked with this understanding to develop solutions to problems through dialogue and shuttle diplomacy, he stressed, stating that Ankara maintains this stance.

Erdogan also voiced his country's desire that the bloodshed and tears in our region will finally cease, replaced everywhere by peace and tranquility.

Türkiye does it all solely for this purpose, and will continue to do so, he said.

After speaking to reporters, Erdogan headed to the US to attend the General Assembly, accompanied by first lady Emine Erdogan as well as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Communications Director Burhanettin Duran, and Akif Cagatay Kilic, his chief advisor for foreign policy and security affairs.