Turkish President Erdogan holds press conference in The Hague
ANKARA / ISTANBUL
The Turkish president said Wednesday that his country welcomes the newly declared ceasefire between Iran and Israel, and that he expects both sides to “fully comply with my friend (US President Donald) Trump’s call unconditionally.”
In remarks following a NATO summit in The Hague, Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Türkiye had been involved in intense diplomatic efforts from the onset of the recent military hostilities between Israel and Iran on June 13, which he said “posed serious risks to the region.”
The recent escalation between Israel and neighboring Iran has put the region at serious risk, Erdogan said, adding that since the crisis began, intense diplomatic efforts and talks with regional leaders have been ongoing.
He reiterated Ankara’s belief that “lasting solutions with Iran are only possible through diplomacy and dialogue,” emphasizing that “our region is full of examples showing that war and destruction lead nowhere.”
Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran late Monday, after 12 days of fighting over Tehran's nuclear program.
Erdogan said Türkiye “hopes the ceasefire will be transformed into lasting calm,” stressing that “everyone needs to shoulder responsibility to achieve peace in the Middle East.”
On Gaza, highlighting the nearly two years of Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian people, he noted that so far, 56,000 Gazans—most of them children and women—have lost their lives in Israeli attacks, and 129,000—again mostly children and women—have been injured.
The Turkish president said that 80% of Gaza has been destroyed and 95% of the health care infrastructure has been demolished.
Erdogan said more than 2 million Gazans are struggling to survive under very difficult conditions amid the rubble, with bombs constantly falling down on them.
“The Israeli government is even blocking the entry of the most basic necessities into Gaza. Due to Israel’s blockades and attacks, the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza has turned into a humanitarian disaster. No conscientious person can remain silent in the face of such savagery. People stay silent when babies are sleeping, but not when babies are being killed,” he said.
“Like all countries in the region, Israel’s security depends on the stability, peace, and prosperity of its neighbors,” Erdogan said, adding: “Israel’s attacks have turned Gaza’s humanitarian tragedy into a catastrophe that no person with a conscience can ignore.”
“If relations between Israel and Türkiye continue with the current approach, peace and stability between us won’t be possible. The steps being taken threaten peace, and if peace is being threatened, how can it be achieved? It’s simply not possible,” Erdogan said.
He urged Israel to abandon its current stance in the Gaza Strip.
Noting that their goal is to establish a climate of peace where all peoples and all faiths live side by side in harmony, Erdogan said: “We have been living on the same lands for a 1,000 years. God willing, we will continue to live there forever. Therefore, for the well-being of the entire region, no matter how painful or uncomfortable it may be, we will continue to courageously speak the truth.”
Touching upon his diplomatic contacts during the NATO summit, including his meeting with Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK’s Prime Minister Keir Stammer, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, Romanian President Nicusor Don and French President Emmanuel Macron, Erdogan said the meetings addressed the strengthening of bilateral ties with allies and the summit agenda, and Türkiye’s plan to host next year’s NATO summit is confirmed.
On Russia’s army leaving Azerbaijan, Erdogan confirmed tha Russian forces had left and are no longer there.
He said he had recently visited Karabakh, and that Baku is working to make the region livable, investing heavily in infrastructure.
On whether NATO would defend Türkiye if a conflict arose between Türkiye and Israel, Erdogan said there is currently no attack on Türkiye, which is “a peace-loving” country focused on maintaining regional peace.
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