President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared that the international community must assume its long-overdue responsibility toward the Palestinian people, stressing that no peace initiative can be credible or lasting without the full participation and consent of Palestinians at every stage of the process.

Speaking at the International Peace and Trust Forum held in Ashgabat, Erdoğan congratulated the Turkmen nation on the occasion of Neutrality Day and described the forum as highly significant within the framework of the United Nations’ designation of 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, of which Türkiye is a co-sponsor.

Erdoğan praised Turkmenistan’s achievements since independence, noting that the country has become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with modern cities, universities, factories and social infrastructure. He underlined that Türkiye and Turkmenistan are bound by exceptional ties rooted in shared history, culture and faith, stating that the two nations remain united “in heart and destination.”

Emphasizing that Türkiye continues to advance relations with Turkmenistan in trade, investment, energy, defense and people-to-people ties, Erdoğan affirmed that Ankara is prepared to assume any responsibility necessary to support Turkmenistan’s prosperity and stability.

The President warned that the world is witnessing growing uncertainty, conflict and fragility, and called for stronger international cooperation, dialogue and trust. Türkiye, he said, is working to establish a belt of peace and security around its region by fostering constructive relations with neighbors and supporting diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending crises.

Addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Erdoğan expressed his sincere hope for an end to the conflict and reiterated Türkiye’s readiness to give concrete support to ceasefire and peace negotiations, including a revival of the Istanbul process.

Turning to Gaza, Erdoğan recalled the horrific massacres committed there in recent years and emphasized that the current ceasefire remains fragile due to Israel’s ongoing violations. He stressed that lasting ceasefire arrangements and uninterrupted humanitarian aid deliveries to civilians in need are among Türkiye's main priorities, adding that strong international support is indispensable.

Referring to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2800, Erdoğan described it as a potential opportunity for establishing lasting peace and rebuilding Gaza. He underscored that Palestinians must be included in all phases of peace efforts and reiterated that the only viable outcome is a two-state solution. “The time has come for the international community to repay its debt to the Palestinian people,” he said.

Erdoğan noted that Türkiye has become one of the leading global actors in mediation with its fair, balanced and reliable approach, citing the Ankara Process between Ethiopia and Somalia as an example of successful preventive diplomacy. He also pointed to Türkiye’s co-chairmanship of Mediation Groups within the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Warning that the world is currently experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since the Second World War, Erdoğan reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Turkmenistan’s neutrality-based approach to diplomacy, peace and development. He concluded by stating that peace can only be achieved through justice, security through mutual respect, and stability through dialogue and cooperation.(ILKHA)