“Global peace cannot be fully ensured unless a free Palestinian state is established”

 

Holding a press conference following the G20 Summit in South Africa, President Erdoğan said: “It is crucial to implement a two-state formula for lasting solution. Global peace cannot be fully ensured unless a free Palestinian state is established based on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a press conference following the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, the Republic of South Africa.

“SOUTH AFRICA HAS DISPLAYED AN EXEMPLARY STANCE ON THE GAZA GENOCIDE”

Voicing his pleasure over the G20 Summit being held in Africa for the first time, President Erdoğan pointed out that the victory the Republic of South Africa, led by Mr. Nelson Mandela, won against the racist apartheid regime has always been one of the strongest symbols of pursuit of justice and equality all across the world, and added: “In this sense, I consider the principled and unshakable support South Africa has provided to the Palestinian cause for years to be valuable. South Africa has displayed an exemplary stance on the Gaza genocide, where 70 thousand Palestinians, most of them children, women and civilians, have been martyred. Just like the Turkish nation, our South African friends have not turned their backs on the atrocity either while a crime against humanity has been committed in Gaza before the eyes of the entire world. I, on behalf of my country and nation, congratulate and salute with respect the state of South Africa, its society and its administrators, who have assumed a bold attitude with the genocide case they have filed against Israel at the International Court of Justice.”

“TÜRKİYE DEFENDS THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE IN A VERY STRONG MANNER”

Underscoring that they as Türkiye defend the Palestinian cause in a very strong manner without shying away from anyone, and that they boldly defend the rights of the oppressed people of Gaza on every platform, President Erdoğan said: “We have stood by our Gazan brothers and sisters with our humanitarian aid exceeding 103 thousand tons.”

President Erdoğan went on to say: “Now, as you know, a ceasefire has been established with our contributions as well. We are doing whatever is necessary to prevent a return to conflicts. I have stressed that it is a global responsibility to ease as much as possible the outcomes of the destruction in Gaza, and have called for support for humanitarian aid and reconstruction works. Obviously, while ensuring the continuation of the ceasefire that has been established, it is also crucial to implement a two-state formula for lasting solution. Global peace cannot be fully ensured unless a free Palestinian state is established based on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital. We will preserve our principled stance on this issue for the peace, calm and security of the entire region and the humanity as well as of the oppressed Palestinian people.”

“A MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND STRONGER GLOBAL ECONOMY SHOULD BE BUILT”

Stating that G20 continues to be a platform that consists of many different countries and has a high representation quality, President Erdoğan said: “It is important for us that the G20 leads the international community against present and future global challenges. During this year’s summit, we have once again stressed that the maxim of ‘leaving no one behind’ should be a compass for the international community. We have stated that a more comprehensive and stronger global economy, where no one is left behind, should be built. We have underscored the importance of international cooperation and multilateralism.”

Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question whether there can be better relations between G20 and Russia through Türkiye-Russia relations, said: “I have hosted Mr. Zelenskyy this week, and I will speak with Mr. Putin on the phone tomorrow. In the meantime, during our bilateral meetings here, we have especially addressed the Russia-Ukraine war, and discussed what we can do and how we can establish peace.”

Asked about his bilateral meetings while some of his interlocutors display overt Zionist behaviors and attitudes, President Erdoğan said: “That the war in Gaza is a genocide is plain as day. I as the President of the Republic of Türkiye express the genocide of Zionists, the issue of Netanyahu and everything about the genocide to all the leaders I hold bilateral meetings with. It is impossible for us to ignore the genocide in Palestine, Gaza, where 60 thousand people have been killed. And the perpetrator of this genocide is Netanyahu and Israel.”

President Erdoğan, in response to a potential international stabilization force in Palestine, noted that they will address the issue with the Ministry of National Defense and take their final decision.

Asked whether there is a possibility that peace can be established between Russia and Ukraine, and his opinion about the US plan, President Erdoğan reminded Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Türkiye and the phone call he will hold with President Putin of Russia the following day, and added: “As is known, we have made efforts for a grain corridor, and we have actually made these efforts to pave the way for peace. We have sought to reach both Europe and Africa through grain corridor. Unfortunately, although we have succeeded to an extent, it has not continued. I will once again talk about it with Mr. Putin during tomorrow’s talk. I think it will be beneficial if we can launch this process. All these people have been killed. I will discuss with him what we can do to stop these killings. I think I will have the opportunity to talk the outcomes of this talk with Mr. Trump and with our European and other friends.”

Asked about Türkiye’s role in the second stage of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, President Erdoğan drew attention to the ongoing talks of relevant units, and stressed that they are endeavoring to establish a lasting ceasefire rather than a short-term one.

President Erdoğan, in response to a question regarding the massacre in Sudan, stated that wherever there is a problem, Türkiye will be there, and added: “Our brothers and sisters in Sudan already request that Türkiye takes part in the solution of the problems there. We have and will endeavor to be there for peace. We have made efforts both in the Gulf and Sudan as well as Somalia for this. We will rush everywhere for peace from now on as well.”