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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged all parties to fully comply with cease-fire agreements and called for international intervention to prevent escalating Middle East conflicts, speaking to reporters at Ankara Esenboga Airport before departing for a NATO summit.
"Iran's reckless steps extending to Iran are absolutely unacceptable. Global actors must take active measures. We continue to call everyone to common sense. We invite all parties to fully comply with the ceasefire," Erdogan said, referring to recent Israel-Iran hostilities.
President welcomed reports of a cease-fire agreement reached between the parties late Tuesday night, while emphasizing that regional tensions have significantly increased since June 13.
"Netanyahu's massacre must end," Erdogan declared, referring to Israeli military operations. "We welcome and support with appreciation every effort that will ensure a cease-fire in the region."
Türkiye has positioned itself as a mediator in regional conflicts, with Erdogan highlighting his country's diplomatic efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war. He noted that Türkiye recently brought the warring parties together in Istanbul after a three-year gap, facilitating prisoner and body exchanges.
"This war cannot continue forever," Erdogan said of the Ukraine conflict. "We are a country that has earned the trust of both sides. Concrete progress has been made."
Regarding Türkiye's NATO membership and European Union aspirations, Erdogan emphasized Türkiye's military contributions to the alliance. "We have NATO's second-largest army. Our country, which contributes more to Europe's security than many countries, should be included in the union," he stated.
The president also announced Türkiye's intention to host the 2026 NATO summit, saying bilateral meetings with allied leaders would be conducted on the summit's margins.
Erdogan stressed that the region "cannot bear the burden of a war whose effects will be felt worldwide," calling for diplomatic solutions over military action. "Withdrawing hands from triggers and giving diplomacy a chance for resolving disputes would be the most correct, beneficial and wise approach," he said.
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