Erdogan hails Macron for decision to recognise Palestinian state

ISTANBUL: Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday welcomed a move by his French counterpart to recognise Palestinian statehood, in a phone call between the two leaders, the Turkish presidency said.

“During a telephone conversation, President Erdogan congratulated French President (Emmanuel) Macron on his decision to recognise Palestine as a state,” it said in a statement.

“A two-state solution is essential for a durable peace in the region,” Erdogan said.

Macron said Thursday that his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September, the most powerful European nation to announce such a move.

Read more: French plan to recognise Palestinian state draws fire from Israel, US

Meanwhile, Macron’s announcement drew condemnation from Israel, which said it “rewards terror”, while US President Donald Trump dismissed the decision as pointless.

Read more: ‘Hamas wants to die, recognition of Palestine meaningless’

“He’s a very good guy, I like him, but that statement doesn’t carry weight,” Trump told reporters.

DIVIDING SYRIA UNACCEPTABLE

Meanwhile, Erdogan is unequivocal in expressing his views not only about Palestine but also the broader Middle East region.

Recently, he said that Turkiye will not allow Syria to be divided or its multicultural structure and territorial integrity harmed.

In this connection, Erdogan said Israel’s actions show it does not want peace.

Read more: Erdogan won’t allow dividing Syria, Netanyahu says got ceasefire by force

At the same time, he also said that said Israel was using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country.

“Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighbouring Syria over the past two days,” Erdogan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting.

It’s a developing story. Details to follow.