Erdogan’s Palestinian departure: we cannot accept

The cavalry, which received the official vehicle of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the street in front of the Presidential Palace, escorted the vehicle to the protocol gate. Erdogan welcomed Palestinian President Abbas at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace.

After Erdoğan and Abbas took their places in the ceremony area, the national anthems of the two countries were played, accompanied by 21-gun fire. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted the Ceremonial Troop of the Guard Regiment saying “Hello, soldier” in Turkish. Flags representing the 16 established Turkish states in history and soldiers also participated in the ceremony. After the presentation of the delegations of the two countries, President Erdoğan and Abbas posed for journalists in front of the Turkish and Palestinian flags on the stairs.

Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, Director of Presidential Communications Fahrettin Altun, Head of MIT İbrahim Kalın, Head of Administrative Affairs Metin Kıratlı, Senior Adviser to the President Ambassador Akif Çağatay Kılıç and Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin were also present at the ceremony.

“WE CANNOT ACCEPT ACTIONS”

Making a statement after a face-to-face meeting with Abbas, Erdogan said: “We cannot accept actions aimed at changing the historical status quo of holy sites. The unity and reconciliation of the Palestinians is one of the main elements of this process. The establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the 1967 borders, based on UN parameters, is essential for peace and stability in our entire region.

Regarding the meeting, Palestinian President Abbas said: “We are concerned about Turkey’s support for the independence of the Palestinian people by defending Jerusalem. We express our gratitude to you, to the Turkish state and to the Turkish people, for supporting the Palestinian cause.” (AA)