President Erdogan Urges Uninterrupted Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Gaza
In a joint press conference with Slovak Republic Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the necessity of implementing all stages of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement. Erdogan stressed the importance of uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, highlighting the critical need for support in the region.
Striving for Stronger Bilateral Relations
During the press conference, President Erdogan warmly welcomed Prime Minister Fico and his delegation, expressing satisfaction with their visit to Turkey. The leaders discussed ways to deepen bilateral relations, culminating in the signing of a joint declaration elevating their ties to a strategic partnership level. Erdogan expressed optimism about the positive impact this partnership will have on both countries.
Furthermore, agreements were signed between ministries and councils to enhance cooperation in various fields such as military, defense industry, and culture. Erdogan believes these agreements will strengthen their relations and propel existing cooperation to new heights.
Economic Prospects and Defense Cooperation
Addressing the press, Erdogan highlighted the significant progress made in investment and trade relations with Slovakia in recent years. The trade volume, which was around $1 billion in 2019, has now reached $3 billion, setting the stage for achieving their shared goal of $5 billion in trade.
The President underscored the advancements in the defense industry sector over the past two decades, emphasizing the importance of concrete defense industry projects to enhance collaboration between Turkey and Slovakia as NATO allies.
Regional and Global Affairs
President Erdogan and Prime Minister Fico also discussed Turkey-European Union relations and current regional and global issues. Erdogan expressed confidence in Slovakia’s continued support for Turkey’s full EU membership aspirations and shared insights on the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the need for fair and lasting peace in the region.
They exchanged views on steps to ensure stability and security in Syria, emphasizing the importance of lifting international restrictions from the post-regime era to initiate reconstruction efforts promptly. The leaders discussed Slovakia’s potential contributions to reconstruction efforts at both bilateral and EU levels.
Call for International Support
In light of the recent ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, President Erdogan called on the international community to ensure the implementation of all stages of the agreement and the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem within the 1967 borders.
President Erdogan’s call for continuous humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza underscores the pressing need for global solidarity and support in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region. As tensions persist in the Middle East, the international community plays a crucial role in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity for all affected populations.
