Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus made important statements at a joint press conference held after his meeting with Norwegian Parliament Speaker Masud Garahkhani in Ankara. Kurtulmus said they consider Israel's attacks on Lebanon and Syria a clear violation of international law.
Kurtulmus, who welcomed his Norwegian counterpart with an official ceremony at the Turkish Parliament, stated that this visit, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and taking place after 14 years, will make a significant contribution to cooperation.
Emphasis on NATO and regional security
Kurtulmus recalled that Turkey and Norway, as NATO allies, work together in many international parliamentary organizations. Referring to the NATO parliamentary summit held in Istanbul recently, Kurtulmus said that increasing security risks in Europe, the search for a new peace architecture, and regional crises were discussed there.
Pointing to the NATO leaders' summit to be held in Ankara on July 7-8, Kurtulmus said, "Turkey has become one of the important centers of international diplomacy in recent times, thanks especially to its emphasis on diplomacy and its approach that all conflicts can be resolved at the negotiating table."
Common stance on Palestine
Stating that the parties are in the same position on the Palestinian issue, one of the fundamental issues of the Middle East and the entire world, Kurtulmus noted the following:
Norway, like Turkey, believes that the Palestinian issue can be resolved on the basis of a two-state solution and the establishment of a fully sovereign, independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders.
Kurtulmus once again expressed his satisfaction with Norway's formal recognition of the State of Palestine in 2024.
US-Iran talks and warning on Israel
Announcing that the two countries also support the negotiation process between the US and Iran, Kurtulmus emphasized that resolving this issue through mutual negotiations as soon as possible is vital for regional and global peace. He expressed hope that the talks, which started in Geneva and continued in Doha, would yield positive results.
Warning against attempts to sabotage the process, Kurtulmus said, "I invite the international community and especially the two countries to be cautious, as some countries may resort to provocations due to discomfort with the current situation."
Stating that Israel does not want peace in the region and thrives on instability, Kurtulmus continued his remarks as follows:
Preventing Israel's provocations is the most important condition for this process to proceed healthily. As Turkey, we consider Israel's attacks on Syria as well as on Lebanon as a clear violation of international law. Our region needs calm and peace. Israel ending its aggressive actions is a fundamental condition for regional peace. Therefore, the international community must under no circumstances allow Israel to undermine the negotiation process that has begun between the US and Iran.
