The meeting with the US Secretary of State ended Anthony Blinken With his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in the capital, Ankara, without holding a joint press conference between them, while they discussed regional developments, most notably the latest developments in the situation in Gaza strip and bilateral relations.
The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed to his American counterpart the need to declare a complete and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, noting that bombing civilian targets and destroying infrastructure is “unacceptable.”
During the meeting, Fidan stressed to his American counterpart the necessity of “preventing Israel’s targeting of civilians and their displacement in Gaza, and declaring a complete and immediate ceasefire,” according to the source of the Turkish Anatolia Agency.
During the meeting – in which views on Gaza were exchanged – the two sides confirmed that they agreed on the necessity of ensuring that no harm is caused to civilians and that humanitarian aid is delivered continuously and without interruption.
The source said regarding the meeting, “Turkey and the United States agree on the need not to harm civilians in Gaza, and to deliver humanitarian aid.”
He reported that during today’s meeting in Ankara between Fidan and Blinken, “the necessity of working together for a two-state solution was also emphasized.”
Ankara witnessed a demonstration organized by the Turkish Youth Union to denounce Blinken’s visit, and the demonstrators chanted, “Blinken the killer has left Turkey” while the American minister was at the State Department.
Airport statements
For his part, the US Secretary of State said – in statements to American media from Esenboga Airport in Ankara – that he held very important discussions with the countries of the region in order to create lasting and sustainable peace conditions for the Israelis and Palestinians.
Blinken indicated that he made visits to various regional countries regarding the removal of civilians from the Gaza Strip, and took important steps, held meetings, and did his best to prevent the spread of the conflict to the region by using the influence of each country.
The US Secretary of State stressed the extreme importance of preventing the expansion of the war, indicating that the countries of the organization are making unremitting efforts to this end.
He said, “We held very important discussions to create the conditions to achieve a lasting and sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and we continue to work on this issue, and think about the future as we try to resolve this crisis,” expressing his belief that progress has been achieved on these issues.
Blinken added, “We do not agree on all issues (with the countries of the region), but we cooperate in working together on the most sensitive issues, and we continue to communicate openly on other issues.”
He stated that they are working with the US Special Representative for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East, David Satterfield, on the details related to the arrival of humanitarian aid, noting that they have greatly increased that aid.
Blinken confirmed that he discussed with the Israeli side ways to stop the clashes for humanitarian reasons.
Hostage issue
Blinken stated that one of the important points is “making progress on the hostage issue” and said, “This is an issue that we are focusing on intensely, but we also believe that stopping the clashes can help advance this proposal.”
The American minister pointed out that they are very focused on what is happening in the West Bank and not just on Gaza, adding, “We expressed very clearly our concerns about extremist violence in the West Bank, and we heard that the Israeli government pledged to deal with this issue more effectively, and we are closely monitoring its occurrence.”
In a question about those detained by Hamas, Blinken refused to address any details in this regard and merely emphasized that this issue is at the center of attention of the United States.
Blinken expressed his belief that other countries may play an important role regarding the release of the hostages, stressing that providing assistance in this regard is a necessity.
In response to a question about Sweden’s accession process to NATO, Blinken explained that they are very encouraged after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the accession protocol and referred it to Parliament.
The US Secretary of State expressed his confidence in making progress regarding Sweden’s accession to NATO.
He added, “I believe that there is a common determination between us regarding completing the process of Sweden’s accession to the alliance.”
Blinken’s visit to Turkey, the first since Israel launched the war on Gaza, comes at a time when the anger of Turkey and its president is mounting. Recep Tayyip Erdogan From the numerous Israeli massacres in the Gaza Strip and the lackluster Western reactions.
Blinken’s visit to Turkey also comes after a Middle Eastern tour that began with Israel, then Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Cyprus, and Iraq, to discuss the situation in Gaza.
Source link
