Unified Turkic world will pave way to peace in Israel-Palestine conflict: Erdogan

The 10th summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) started in Kazakhstan's capital Astana on Friday. / Photo: AA

A unified Turkic world acting together will help pave the way to a ceasefire and permanent peace in the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Turkish president has said.

"There is nothing that could justify what we have witnessed since October7," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, referring to Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza, in a speech he gave on Friday at the Organisation of Turkic States summit in Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital.

"There is no word to describe this brutality. For a full 28 days, crimes against humanity have been committed in Gaza."

On Türkiye's assistance to Palestinians affected by Israeli attacks, Erdogan said it has sent 10 plane loads of humanitarian aid to Gaza so far and will send more as conditions allow.

"Our efforts to organise an international peace conference are ongoing," he said, referring to a Turkish initiative to end the conflict.

Türkiye will continue to take steps towards the peace, prosperity, and security of the entire Turkic world, Erdogan added.

Turkish President Erdogan at Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit in Astana:

- Crime against humanity being perpetrated in Gaza
- Unprecedented humanitarian crisis happening in Gaza
- Turkic world must act in unison to ensure aid reaches Palestinians pic.twitter.com/JzeFpks7cY

— TRT World (@trtworld) November 3, 2023

Transport networks

President Erdogan also emphasised that the realisation of a transport line connecting the western regions of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan is of great importance.

"The opening of this corridor will contribute significantly to the prosperity of all countries in the region and, at the same time, connect Türkiye to Central Asia, our ancestral homeland," he told the summit.

"As the Turkic world, we must continue our support to Azerbaijan for the successful completion of this process," he wrote on X following the summit.

Erdogan also called for special attention to the goal of developing transport networks between Turkic states, adding that they are continuing efforts to activate the Trans-Caspian East-West Corridor.

The Turkish President also expressed his gratitude for granting observer member status to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the OTS in 2022.

"It is our obligation to act in solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots, who are an integral part of the great Turkish family," he said on X.

"I believe that at our next summit, we will see the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus among us as an observer member, as we have decided."