https://arab.news/8ed9t
Since the start of the Gaza war, Turkiye has taken an assertive and proactive stance, engaging in both regional and international initiatives that aimed at ending the Israeli aggression. Over the past two years, Ankara has strongly backed all the Arab-led efforts, closing ranks with the regional states, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Syria, to present a united front. This approach has not only strengthened Turkiye’s ties with Arab nations but also with the US administration.
As a result of these efforts, Turkiye was one of four countries that signed a US-led joint statement on the Gaza ceasefire agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. Alongside President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the statement was signed by US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
But what paved the way for Turkiye to secure a seat at the table? The groundwork was laid during a closed-door meeting between Trump and the leaders of several Muslim and Arab nations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly last month. Notably, Erdogan was seated prominently next to Trump, offering early signs of Washington’s expectations from Ankara regarding the Gaza agreement. Following this gathering, Erdogan held a one-to-one meeting with Trump, during which Gaza was discussed in greater detail.
