Turkiye may build naval base in northern Cyprus if necessary, says Erdogan Middle East Monitor
View original post here:
Turkiye may build naval base in northern Cyprus if necessary, says Erdogan - Middle East Monitor
Erdogan: Israel's FM tries to hide its crimes with lies and slander Middle East Monitor
Go here to read the rest:
Erdogan: Israel's FM tries to hide its crimes with lies and slander - Middle East Monitor
In the coming weeks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's agenda is packed with international summits, reflecting Ankara's efforts to engage with both western and Asian powers.
As European analysts suggest that Turkeys international influence is waning, Erdogan is embarking on a series of official visits to the continent's capitals.His journey begins in Madrid on Wednesday, where he will meet Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
A crucial trade partner and fellow Nato ally, Spain has grown closer to Turkey in recent years due to shared interests in the Mediterranean.
Israels war on Gaza has further strengthened this relationship: last month, Spain recognised the state of Palestine and announced its intention to join South Africas genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Turkey suggested last month that it could do the same.
Following his visit to Spain, Erdogan will head to Italy to attend the G7 summit in Apulia from 13-15 June.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni invited the Turkish president alongside other non-G7 leaders to bring diverse perspectives to the summit. Sources in Ankara note that Erdogan and Meloni share a good rapport, underpinned by mutual interests in North Africa, where the Italian government is most interested in curbing migration and securing energy deals.
On 3-4 July, Erdogan plans to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
As an observer state, Turkey has shown a keen interest in becoming a full member of the Eurasian grouping, though this aspiration has raised concerns in the West. Turkish officials have previously told Middle East Eye that full membership is unlikely due to Natos restrictions against security-oriented alternate memberships.
From the Turkish perspective, decision-makers in Ankara view the world through the lens of Turkey's interests, Omer Ozkizilcik, an analyst at the Atlantic Council think tank said. They believe that Turkey is best served with 360-degree diplomacy and does not want to miss out on the growing economic power of Asia.
On 6 July, Erdogan will also attend an informal summit of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) in Shusha, Azerbaijan. As a co-founder of the OTS in its current guise, Erdogan places significant importance on the organisation.
Turkish officials are focusing on the Middle Corridor trade initiative to transport goods from China to Europe through Turkic states such as Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.
In the east, particularly in Central Asia, Turkey is an important partner for the Turkic states not only due to cultural ties but also because of its capacity to provide alternatives for certain critical needs, Ozkizilcik said.
'Turkey has transitioned from a security consumer to a security provider'
-Omer Ozkizilcik, the Atlantic Council
After the OTS meeting, Erdogan will travel to Washington on 9-11 July to join a Nato summit celebrating the military alliances 75th anniversary.
Although a scheduled meeting with US President Joe Biden in May was cancelled over concerns related to domestic optics during the US-backed Israeli invasion of Gaza, discussions over a bilateral meeting at the summit are ongoing.
Ozkizilcik highlights Turkeys growing weight in international politics, especially since the Ukraine war began. Ankara has been an interlocutor in the conflict, while also providing Ukraine with key military assistance, including armed drones.
Turkey has transitioned from a security consumer to a security provider, Ozkizilcik told Middle East Eye. Since the invasion of Ukraine, western allies now need Turkey more than ever, and also value Nato more than before.
The final leg of Erdogan's diplomatic tour will be the fourth European Political Community meeting in London on 18 July. This France-led platform is significant for Ankara as it facilitates informal talks with countries like Cyprus, with which Turkey has no formal diplomatic relations.
Turkey aims to strengthen ties with Asia and seeks to participate in multilateral arrangements, Ozkizilcik said. Erdogan's current visit programme serves as a prime example of Turkey's growing international role.
Visit link:
Nato or Shanghai Cooperation Organisation? Erdogan goes for both - Middle East Eye
Were really pleased that youve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
Thats why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Read more from the original source:
Erdogan says US stance on Israel's war on Hamas is 'truly upsetting' Turkey - The Times of Israel
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed on Saturday that he had discussed with Russian President Vladimir Putin elections that are set for regions held by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria.
Speaking to reporters during his return from visits to Spain and Italy, he said: There are no elections there... a game is being played to give legitimacy to a terrorist organization. He was referring to the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the SDF and its armed wing, the Peoples Protection Units (YPG).
Our previous operations have demonstrated our skill in breaking games, added Erdogan.
There is no doubt that the Syrian administration in Damascus will not grant them permission to hold the elections or take steps in that direction, he went on say.
He added that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had discussed this issue with Putin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.
We hope the separatist terrorist PKK and other groups wont be able to operate freely in Syria, stressed Erdogan.
Moreover, he warned that Trkiye was ready to amass all of its forces when needed should the elections be held.
We will not allow the terrorists to claim a foothold right under our nose. We will not hesitate to do what is necessary about this, he vowed.
The Kurdish autonomous authorities in northeastern Syria will hold elections on August 8. They were postponed from June 11 at the request of some parties.
Ankara has repeatedly threatened to carry out a new military operation in northern Syria to prevent the elections from being held. It has also repeatedly demanded that the poll be cancelled.
The United States, which backs the SDF, has said conditions are not right to hold free and transparent elections.
In an address to the Turkish people on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Erdogan said Trkiye was determined to fight terrorism and the PKK, which has undermined the security of the country for over 40 years.
We will not allow it to become a source of threat to the southern borders, he declared.
Also on Saturday, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced that nine members of the YPG were eliminated in northern and northeastern Syria.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, meanwhile, revealed that Turkish forces were establishing a new defensive line stretching from Turkish-Russian de-escalation zones in the eastern Idlib countryside and spanning some 20 towns and villages.
The rights monitor said the Turkish forces were digging trenches and setting up barricades to protect main roads and supply routes in anticipation of any military escalation.
Go here to read the rest:
Erdogan: Discussed with Putin Elections in N. Syria, Damascus Won't Allow Them - Asharq Al-awsat - English