Antalya: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League Ministerial Committee are scheduled to meet on Friday in the southwestern coastal city of Antalya, Turkey, to discuss achieving a 'two-state solution and lasting peace in the Middle East', as confirmed by diplomatic sources.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting of the Gaza Contact Group is hosted by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and will occur before the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, set for April 11-13. This gathering will see the participation of foreign ministers from Bahrain, Indonesia, Palestine, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. It marks the first instance of the ministerial committee meeting in Turkey, marking its 20th session overall.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit and OIC Secretary-General Hussein Ibrahim Taha, along with representatives from countries like the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Slovenia, China, Russia, and the EU, are expected to partake in the discussions.
Fidan is anticipated to address the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip following Israel's breach of a ceasefire on March 18, which has heightened tensions in the West Bank and Jerusalem. He will likely advocate for intensified committee efforts towards achieving a lasting ceasefire, the release of hostages and detainees, and ensuring full humanitarian access to Gaza. Additionally, Fidan is expected to express support for Egypt and Qatar's mediation efforts toward a comprehensive agreement.
The Turkish Foreign Minister is also set to underscore the two-state solution as the sole viable option, which would allow Palestinians to reside in their homeland and enable peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore, he will emphasize Turkey's steadfast backing for immediate cessation of destruction in Gaza, ensuring a lasting ceasefire, halting Israel's expansionism in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, promoting Palestinian reconciliation, and maintaining the two-state solution as a priority on the international agenda.
The establishment of the Gaza Contact Group traces back to a Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit held in Riyadh on November 11, 2023. During this summit, Turkey, Palestine, Indonesia, Qatar, Egypt, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, alongside the OIC and Arab League secretaries-general, were entrusted with spearheading international initiatives for lasting and comprehensive peace in Gaza. Bahrain and the UAE subsequently joined these peace efforts.
The ministerial committee, known as the Gaza Contact Group, has previously undertaken initiatives in global centers such as London, Paris, New York, Washington, Ottawa, Brussels, Oslo, Madrid, Cairo, and Amman.