Day: April 26, 2024

ISTANBUL: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that Ukraine must push Russia back onto its territory to achieve 'real security.' 'If we need real security, if we really want to have strong it for long days, long years, dozens of years for the security future of our region, we need to put him and to move him (Russia) on his territory,' Zelenskyy said in an interview with Fox News. He said Ukraine will have 'huge challenges' with Russia should rhetoric-based and uncertain dialogue in the West continue, Commenting on US lawmakers who voted against a $60.8 billion aid package for Ukraine that was signed off Wednesday by President Joe Biden, Zelenskyy said that Washington must know that the funds will first go to the US defense sector. 'We need especially weapons, it's not the question of money. It's the question of weapons. Even they have to know that their production will get dozens of billions of money, jobs, taxes. Everything will be in (the) United States,' he said. He went on to say that a part o f the funds will also go to other European countries, despite not being a large amount. Zelenskyy also said his country will work with any US president, regardless of the outcome of the American presidential election later this year. 'I hope that he (Donald Trump) will not be against Ukraine, I hope this … of course, there are different views on some things, on some details, but if we have common views and common values, we can work, of course,' he said, adding that decision on a president is one for the American people. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday released a message sending Passover (Pesach) holiday greetings to the Jewish community. "On Passover, I congratulate the Jewish Community, who has lived together for centuries and who are an integral part of our society,' Erdogan said. Erdogan expressed hope that these days, which have a special meaning for Jewish citizens, will lead to peace, justice and tranquility all over the world, especially in the Middle East. He greeted the Jewish citizens with respect and wished them well-being. The Passover, or Pesach, holiday commemorates the Israelites' exodus from Egypt under the Prophet Moses and is considered one of the holiest times on the Jewish calendar. This year, Passover began on the evening of April 22 and will end on the evening of April 30. *Writing by Gozde Bayar Source: Anadolu Agency

ANTALYA: Archaeologists in Mediterranean Trkiye are unearthing an ancient stadium with a capacity of 10,000 spectators. A total of 25% of the underground stadium in the ancient city of Sillyon in Serik in the coastal Antalya province has been unearthed, according to the excavation team. The ancient city, which was built on a high hill, boasts various structures from the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras through the millennia. A team of 40 people continues to work to reveal the history of the region and open the area to tourism. Murat Taskiran, the head of the excavation team from Pamukkale University, told Anadolu that the stadium is 254 meters (833 feet) long and 48 meters (157 ft) wide. "We started excavation of the stadium in 2022. The stadium was built along the western slope of the city,' he said. Taskiran added that the historical building, which has a capacity of 10,000 people, stands out among regional stadiums with its large capacity, shape, and size. "Based on the materia ls unearthed from the area, we can say that construction of the stadium started in the 1st century after Christ and that it was used until the fifth century AD," he said. They not only carried out excavations in the area, but also restoration and conservation work, he said. *Writing by Gozde Bayar Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that China and the US should be partners rather than rivals, according to state-run media. Meeting with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Beijing, Xi said that Beijing is happy to see a confident, open, prosperous and thriving United States, and hopes Washington can also look at China's development in a positive light, the Xinhua News Agency reported. "This is a fundamental issue that must be addressed, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right, in order for the China-U.S. relationship to truly stabilize, improve, and move forward," the agency quoted Xi as saying. He added the two countries should not be rivals but help each other succeed rather than hurt each other. "Seek common ground and reserve differences, rather than engage in vicious competition, and honor words with actions, rather than say one thing but do the opposite," he said. "I proposed mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to be the three overarching principles," said Xi, adding that he said many times that planet is big enough to accommodate both countries' development and prosperity. "But there are still issues to be addressed which require further efforts. Your visit this time was agreed upon between President (Joe) Biden and I in our phone call several weeks ago. I hope you will find it productive," Xi said. After arriving in China on Wednesday on a three-day visit, Blinken met with his counterpart Wang Yi and other officials. This is his second visit to China in less than a year. US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in San Francisco last November for a summit that paved the way for resuming military-to-military communications and "clear and open" communication between defense establishments to avoid miscalculations by either side and prevent a conflict. *Writing by Islamuddin Sajid Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: The extensive amount of rubble left by Israel's devastating war in the Gaza Strip could take about 14 years to remove, a UN official said on Friday. Pehr Lodhammar, an official with the United Nations Mine Action Service, told a briefing in Geneva that the war had left an estimated 37 million tons of debris in the densely populated territory. According to the media office in Gaza, Israeli attacks have destroyed as many as 70,000 houses, and damaged 290,000 others, rendering them uninhabitable. The structures hit also include government buildings, hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and historical sites. Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 which killed some 1,200 people. Besides killing more than 34,000 Palestinians since then, the Israeli military campaign has turned much of the enclave of 2.3 million people into ruins, leaving most civilians homeless, hungry, and at risk of disease. *Writing by Serdar Dincel Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday said the choice of new NATO chief 'will be made within the framework of the strategic wisdom and fairness.' 'Nobody should have any doubt that we will make our decision within the framework of strategic wisdom and fairness," Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at Vahdettin Palace in Istanbul. Rutte recently announced his bid to become the next NATO secretary-general. Erdogan said that the trade volume between the two countries reached $13.9 billion last year and that Ankara hopes to initially increase it to $16 billion and then to $21.4 billion. 'With $6.4B in investments, Turkish entrepreneurs provide employment for some 80,000 people in the Netherlands,' Erdogan added. Erdogan said that the Dutch prime minister's visit holds a special significance for the bilateral relations between the two nations. He said that they reviewed the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries and reaffirmed their de termination to take bilateral relations to further levels. 'We noted that our commercial and economic relations continue to deepen and strengthen. The Netherlands is the largest foreign investor in Trkiye. New partnerships to be established in the defense industry, green and digital transformation, and energy sectors will contribute to achieving this goal," the Turkish president added. Relations with EU Erdogan also underlined the importance of starting work on the update of the Customs Union with the EU as soon as possible, saying that Trkiye once again drew attention to the importance they attach to this issue. He expressed that Ankara expects the Netherlands' support in order for the EU to address the relations with Trkiye from a 'just and strategic perspective.' He noted that preparations for the NATO summit of heads of state and government, scheduled to take place in Washington in July, were also on the agenda of the meeting. Erdogan underlined the importance of the future secretary-general priori tizing the preservation of NATO's primary role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security. "Furthermore, it is essential for intense and strong efforts, similar to those of (incumbent NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg), to be made in removing sanctions, restrictions, and obstacles in the defense industry among allies. 'I shared these points with Romanian President (Kalus) Iohannis, who has announced his candidacy for the secretary-general position, in a phone call held upon his request last week,' he added. The Turkish president said that the fighting against terrorism was also on the agenda of his meeting with Rutte, adding that he stressed: 'Within the spirit of alliance, no terrorist organization, PKK and its extensions in particular, should be tolerated.' Erdogan further stated that he stressed 'our expectations for the necessary steps to be taken for a cease-fire, peace, and stability' in Gaza. For his part, Rutte said the relations between Trkiye and the Netherlands date back many years and that several issues, including Gaza and Ukraine, were discussed during his meeting with Erdogan. Trkiye is playing an important role in trying to end the Gaza war, he said, adding that Trkiye is also making efforts to resolve the war in Ukraine. He also underlined the importance of Trkiye's geopolitical stance and influence in the region. Noting that Trkiye is a 'crucial ally,' Rutte said NATO's southern wing needs Trkiye and its leadership in terms of stability of the entire region and general transatlantic relations. After the US, Trkiye represents the second largest military power in NATO, he said. Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: On April 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a key visit to Iraq, a trip which constitutes a milestone in the development of cooperation between the two sides after a 12-year hiatus. The comprehensive discussions held in Baghdad and meetings in Erbil with Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) head Nechirvan Barzani represent significant steps in a brand-new chapter in bilateral relations, underscoring the diligent efforts of Turkish diplomacy. With 26 different agreements signed in diverse areas such as security, trade, water, oil, education, agriculture, and finance, Ankara opened vital prospects for Iraq's development, modernization, and pan-regional economic integration. While the spirit of this cooperation is built on a win-win scenario, some opportunities and risks hold significant implications for both parties as well as for the region's geopolitics. The background of this cooperation, particularly intensified by recent diplomatic engagements with Baghdad and Erbil, forms a crucial fo undation. This visit formalized the mutual commitments underlying this long and comprehensive process. Terrorist group PKK a threat to both sides In the domain of counterterrorism, this visit unfolded against the backdrop of Iraq designating the terrorist group PKK an outlawed organization and the Turkish military announcing preparations for an extensive operation in northern Iraq this summer. The establishment of a PKK foothold, along with affiliated groups, under the protection [1] of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Sulaymaniyah within KRG territory, has been a grave concern for Ankara. Despite repeated warnings, the Bafel Talabani-led PUK failed to heed these sensitivities, prompting Trkiye to close its airspace last year, which underscores the gravity of the situation. The present interactions have sent a new wind into bilateral relations, so Trkiye anticipates significant steps from Baghdad on this matter. More so, since terrorism is not just a problem for Trkiye, it is also a threat that di srupts the daily lives of Iraqis, endangers Iraqi border security, and jeopardizes bilateral ties. New steps on Development Road Project On the Turkish-Iraqi Development Road Project, [2] the strides taken not only position both countries as significant players in inter-regional connectivity but also offer Iraq the chance to diversify its heavily oil-dependent economy by attracting foreign investment and opening new areas of employment. The escalating risk of regional conflicts, such as Israel's Gaza conflict and threats from the Houthis in Yemen affecting maritime trade routes in the Red Sea, underscores the need for secure alternatives in trade and logistics across the Middle East. While the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) [3] project has remained largely on paper, constructing trade corridors and inviting regional participation within this cooperation framework reflects Trkiye's open and inclusive diplomatic approach. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar's participation in the quadrilate ral agreement signed during Erdogan's visit underscores their interest in putting in place more alternatives that boost the region's inter-connectedness. On Turkish-Iraqi ties, where does Iran stand? There is another side of the coin, and the collaborative spirit underpinning Turkish-Iraqi relations could face some hurdles. The terrorist group PKK, increasingly pressured by Trkiye's heightened military operations, could redirect its terror activities to new locations in the region. It could possibly relocate from the Iraqi side to the Iranian side of Mount Qandil. This option would require Ankara to open new dialogue tracks with Tehran on counterterrorism. Equally pressing are the issues surrounding Iran, whose stance on terrorism and skeptical approach towards the Development Road demand close scrutiny. While the degree of Iranian influence on Iraqi domestic politics and its influence network of proxies across the Middle East is problematic, Trkiye has to maneuver with these considerations in mind and ke ep its feet grounded, continuing to emphasize the long-term benefits to Iraq's nation-building and development and underlining the strategic nature of this collaboration. So far, Iran views the Development Road initiative with a lack of enthusiasm. Both sides need to underscore the economic benefits that Tehran would reap, as this project can be beneficial for all. While the traditional approach would see this project as undermining Iran's ports, the reality is that they will benefit more from interconnectivity than from the current isolation. After all, the potential scenario of former US President Donald Trump [4] winning the upcoming US presidential elections could lead to the return of a maximum pressure policy, forcing a sanctions-busy Tehran to reluctantly but necessarily warm up to regional initiatives of trade and connectivity like the Development Road, which brings economic gains to all stakeholders at various levels. In short, the evolving relations between Trkiye and Iraq offer a beacon of hope for both nations and the rest of the region. Trkiye's strategic approach, taking into account Iraq's complex political dynamics and regional realities, is crucial in fostering this newfound partnership. In turn, Iraq must actively participate in and invest in this partnership to achieve long-term objectives, including economic diversification and socioeconomic progress. [1] https://amwaj.media/article/why-the-puk-remains-entangled-in-alleged-pkk-ties [2] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/analysis/opinion-why-is-turkiye-iraq-cooperation-a-win-win-formula/3182536 [3] https://thediplomat.com/2023/11/unrest-in-the-middle-east-is-bad-for-both-cpec-and-imec/ [4] https://amwaj.media/article/gaza-war-casts-shadow-on-regional-transit-projects *Opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Anadolu. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Students at Sciences Po, one of France's leading universities, continue their demonstrations on Friday to protest ongoing Israeli attacks and show solidarity with Gaza. Following police intervention in their camp, hundreds of students persisted with their protests, gathering to condemn the French government's "complicity in the genocide in Gaza." The students took over a university building, blocking its entrance with garbage bins and hanging Palestinian flags on the building. They chanted slogans such as "Resistance from Paris to Gaza," "Long live Palestine," and "Macron is an accomplice". Sciences Po, known for educating many high-ranking French executives and politicians, ranks among the country's most prestigious schools. In France, opposition lawmakers who support Palestine are being summoned to testify on charges of "terrorist propaganda." The government attempted to prevent demonstrations in support of Palestine after the Oct. 7 attacks, citing "public order". However those attempts were m et with immediate reaction. Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 last year, which Tel Aviv says killed nearly 1,200 people and took nearly 250 as hostages. Besides killing more than 34,000 Palestinians since then, the Israeli military campaign has turned much of the enclave of 2.3 million people into ruins, leaving most civilians homeless and at risk of famine. Source: Anadolu Agency

ANKARA: Israel's far-right national security minister was hospitalized with injuries after his official car overturned in a car accident, local media reported on Friday. Itamar Ben-Gvir's vehicle overturned in an accident in the Israeli city of Ramla. Ben-Gvir was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and his injuries are reportedly not serious. Images from social media showed Ben-Gvir's car flipping over after colliding with another vehicle. *Writing by Serdar Dincel from Istanbul Source: Anadolu Agency