Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday urged the international community to uphold its obligations to the people of Gaza. 'The Israeli government must not be allowed to violate the cease-fire,' said Erdogan in a joint press conference with his Mongolian counterpart Ukhnaa Khurelsukh in the capital Ankara. The world 'must fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities toward Gazans,' Erdogan said.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan emphasized the resilience of Gaza, noting that 'despite losing more than 50,000 martyrs, mostly women and children, Gaza did not surrender, could not be subdued, and Gazans did not bow down to the oppressors.' He highlighted the need for international efforts to address the destruction caused by Israel in Gaza and to ensure uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the region. Erdogan stressed the importance of adhering to the cease-fire and healing the wounds in Gaza, calling for peace talks to begin for an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The meeting also addressed bilateral ties and regional developments. Erdogan noted that trade relations between Trkiye and Mongolia have surpassed their initial target, and discussions focused on increasing trade and deepening historical and cultural relations. Since 1992, a significant number of Mongolian students have benefited from Trkiye's scholarship programs, and both nations aim to further increase this number.
Erdogan and Khurelsukh also discussed regional and global developments, including Syria, Palestine, and Ukraine. They agreed to continue cooperation on international platforms and strengthen solidarity in international and regional organizations, particularly the UN. Khurelsukh expressed Mongolia's desire to collaborate with Trkiye in global peace and the defense sector, recognizing Trkiye as a reliable partner and a 'third neighboring country.'
The leaders signed a joint statement establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries, along with 10 agreements in areas such as radio and television, competition policy, transportation, health, education, youth and sports, mining, environment, and forestry. Khurelsukh's visit marks the first presidential-level visit from Mongolia to Trkiye in nearly 21 years.