At a joint press conference held at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier underscored the urgent need to protect Palestinian lives and rights amid the escalating crisis in Gaza.

Both leaders stressed that the international community must take decisive steps to halt the ongoing suffering of Palestinians and support a just resolution to the conflict.

Erdoğan called for an unwavering commitment to preserving the ceasefire in Gaza, emphasizing its critical role in saving lives and ending decades of hardship for the Palestinian people. “Great responsibilities fall on all for the preservation of the ceasefire declared in Gaza,” he stated. He urged global leaders to prioritize efforts toward a two-state solution that ensures dignity, justice, and self-determination for Palestinians—a necessary step toward ending the cycle of violence and occupation.

Beyond the situation in Gaza, President Erdoğan highlighted the importance of continued collaboration with Germany on a range of regional issues, including the need for a peaceful and stable Syria, where the rights of all affected communities are respected. “We will maintain our cooperation with Germany in terms of such global issues as the developments in Syria, the latest situation in Gaza, and the war in Ukraine,” Erdoğan said. He further remarked on the shared vision for a future where long-lasting peace and prosperity prevail, not just in Syria but also for the Palestinian people who have endured disproportionate hardship.

President Steinmeier joined in affirming that protecting vulnerable communities and ensuring a fair political solution is a responsibility that extends to all members of the international community. His presence at the conference reinforced the commitment of both nations to advocate for policies that address the root causes of the conflict and support a viable and fair resolution for Palestinians.

This joint declaration comes as a clear call for renewed international efforts to secure peace, protect human rights, and pave the way for a future where the Palestinian quest for justice and statehood is fully recognized and upheld. (ILKHA)