Ankara: President Mahmoud Abbas and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, engaged in discussions on Wednesday regarding the latest political developments and the ongoing Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the two leaders met at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, where they explored the historic Palestinian-Turkish relations and ways to enhance them across various fields. The meeting also covered a range of regional and international issues of mutual interest. President Abbas expressed gratitude for Turkey's steadfast support of the Palestinian cause under Erdogan's leadership, particularly highlighting Turkey's humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
President Abbas also lauded the recent signing of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, viewing it as a strategic move towards regional security and stability. During the meeting, he updated President Erdogan on the escalating Israeli military actions against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, which include settlement expansions, annexations, and assaults on religious sites.
Furthermore, President Abbas emphasized the continued aggression in Gaza, despite a supposed ceasefire agreement. He reaffirmed that Gaza is an essential part of the Palestinian state, advocating for a unified Palestinian state as outlined by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
The meeting saw the participation of several key Palestinian figures, including Ziad Abu Amr from the PLO Executive Committee, Fatah's Major General Majed Faraj, Diplomatic Adviser Majdi al-Khaldi, Chief Justice Mahmoud al-Habbash, and Palestine's Ambassador to Turkey, Nasri Abu Jaish.