Erdogan to raise the issue of massacres against Palestinians in NATO Summit

ANKARA, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that he will raise the issues of massacres of Palestinians in Gaza in the upcoming NATO leaders summit, set to be held in Washington. This came in a press conference that was held in Ankara, ahead of his departure for Washington to attend the summit in the US capital on July 9-11, according to Anadolu Agency. Erdogan added "We patiently follow the process (Gaza cease-fire talks in Doha)", hoping to expect seeing results soon, while also emphasizing the international community failure to stop the Israeli occupation. He stated that the global conscience will not be able to breathe a sigh of relief until a just and lasting peace is established in Palestine, adding that he will continue discussing Ankara's assessments during bilateral meetings with the leaders of the allied countries. Erdogan said they will hold consultations at the summit to boost NATO's deterrence and defense structure and to strengthen the capabilities and capabilities of the allies, and will fol low up on the decisions made in last year's summit in Vilnius. "Our expectation from the summit is to achieve results that take into account the national security sensitivities of the allies and strengthen the alliance solidarity and the spirit of unity", noted Erdogan. He stressed on implementing the decision took in Vilnius 2023 summit against terrorism and removing barriers to defense industry trade between the allies is important in this respect, adding that he will draw attention to the increasing terrorist threat around Turkyie and the world. On the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Erdogan affirmed Türkiye's commitment to and support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, maintaining the principled stance that NATO should not be made a party in this operation. "To this end, we have shouldered responsibility from the very beginning, starting with the Istanbul process, to first secure a cease-fire and then to pave the way to a lasting peace. Every day of gunfire, bl oodshed, and loss of life shows that we are on the right track.", he added. In a related context, Erdogan criticized Turkey's allies within NATO not providing sufficient support to his country in the fight against terrorism, as well as in regard to the Israeli-Palestinian issue. He explained that the Turkish Foreign and Defense Ministers will hold discussions in this context on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, adding, "We will issue warnings to them during these meetings." The current summit falls on the 75th anniversary of NATO's establishment. Source: Kuwait News Agency