Erdogan: Success of international stabilization force in Gaza depends on involving legitimate parties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated today, Monday, that the success of the international stabilization force planned to be deployed in the Gaza Strip depends on involving the legitimate parties in it, specifying them as the countries that signed on October 13 last on the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration regarding the ceasefire and peace stages. This came in statements made by Erdogan, in which he addressed some developments in the local and international arena.

The Turkish President said that "the success of the international stabilization force planned to be deployed in the Gaza Strip depends on involving the legitimate parties on the ground, which means the countries parties to the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration, including Turkey, are the most legitimate countries in this force", and added "it is difficult for a mechanism that does not include Turkey to gain the trust of the Palestinian people", considering that "Turkey is a key country in such a mission due to its deep historical relations with the Palestinian people, the security and diplomatic channels it has maintained with Israel since the past, in addition to its regional influence as a member of the North Atlantic Alliance".

Turkey was a key party in the ceasefire agreement reached between Hamas and Israel in October, while Erdogan constantly criticizes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for their practices in Gaza and their reneging on their commitments, especially regarding the ceasefire and the entry of aid.

Regarding Turkish-American relations, Erdogan said "with the return of President (Donald) Trump to office, the opportunity has arisen to move to a more rational and positive ground in Turkish-American relations, as the delivery of F-35 aircraft to Turkey, which has already paid for them, and its re-inclusion in the production program, are important and necessary matters for the security of Turkey and the United States as strategic partners, and also for the North Atlantic Alliance".

He considered what happened to Turkey of being deprived of the aircraft and removed from the fighter manufacturing program due to the purchase of Russian "S-400" missiles as "unfair actions", adding "what concerns us is protecting Turkey's reputation and not punishing it unfairly, while discussions continue in this framework, and we hope to reach a fair result that is legally sound and commensurate with the strategic partnership between the two countries".

He stated that "Turkey's position is completely clear, and it acts in accordance with its national interests and energy security, considering that Turkey provides its energy needs through imports, and acts cautiously and balanced in every issue that affects its energy security", and added "Turkey is the only party capable of communicating directly with both Russian President (Vladimir) Putin and Ukrainian President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy, and at the same time it can conduct strong and balanced diplomatic communications through taking concrete initiatives in Washington, Brussels, the North Atlantic Alliance, and the United Nations".