ISTANBUL, October 13, 2025 — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s commitment to a two-state solution as the cornerstone for achieving lasting peace in Gaza during a series of high-level meetings at an international summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday. The summit, focused on advancing a peace plan for Gaza, brought together global leaders to address the ongoing crisis in the region. Erdogan’s discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani underscored Türkiye’s proactive role in seeking an end to the conflict, ensuring humanitarian aid, and fostering reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
In his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Erdogan emphasized that a lasting peace in Gaza hinges on the establishment of a two-state solution, a position Türkiye has consistently advocated. According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral ties between Ankara and London, with a particular focus on deepening cooperation in the defense industry. Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s tireless efforts to halt Israeli military operations in Gaza and secure a ceasefire, noting that Ankara remains committed to making the ceasefire permanent and paving the way for sustainable peace. He stressed the urgent need for uninterrupted humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and called for immediate steps toward the region’s reconstruction, which has been devastated by prolonged conflict.
Erdogan’s discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron echoed similar themes. The Turkish president underscored the importance of sustained efforts to maintain the ceasefire and advance reconstruction in Gaza. He reiterated Türkiye’s resolve to enhance cooperation with France across various sectors, while emphasizing the critical role of humanitarian aid in addressing the dire situation in Gaza. Erdogan again championed the two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. Türkiye’s ongoing humanitarian assistance, he noted, is aimed at alleviating the suffering of Palestinians and ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In a separate meeting with UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Erdogan focused on the strengthening of political and economic ties between Türkiye and the UAE. He noted that the growing relationship between the two nations has significantly boosted cooperation in trade and investment. Both leaders expressed a commitment to expanding collaboration, particularly in the defense industry. Addressing the situation in Gaza, Erdogan described the ongoing conflict as a “genocide” and emphasized that a window of opportunity for lasting peace has begun to open. He urged the international community to seize this moment by fully implementing the ceasefire agreement, ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid, and launching reconstruction efforts without delay.
The summit in Sharm el-Sheikh coincided with significant developments in the Gaza conflict. On Monday, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails began, following Hamas’s release of all 20 living Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip. This exchange was part of a deal reached last week to end the war in the Palestinian enclave, marking a critical step toward de-escalation. The agreement has been hailed as a potential turning point, though challenges remain in ensuring its full implementation and addressing the broader issues of reconstruction and governance in Gaza.
Erdogan also held closed-door meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. While specific details of these discussions were not disclosed, they likely centered on the Gaza peace process, regional stability, and bilateral relations. Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza conflict, has played a significant role in brokering ceasefire agreements, and Türkiye’s alignment with Doha underscores the two nations’ shared commitment to resolving the crisis.
Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts at the summit reflect its broader foreign policy objectives of promoting stability in the Middle East while strengthening ties with global partners. Erdogan’s emphasis on a two-state solution aligns with the international consensus on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, though the path to achieving this goal remains fraught with challenges. The Turkish president’s call for immediate reconstruction efforts highlights the scale of devastation in Gaza, where infrastructure, homes, and essential services have been decimated by years of conflict. Ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and shelter, is critical to addressing the immediate needs of Gaza’s population.
The international community’s response to the Gaza crisis has been a focal point of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit. Leaders from across the globe have faced mounting pressure to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have been killed or displaced since the escalation of hostilities. The ceasefire agreement, coupled with the release of captives and prisoners, offers a glimmer of hope, but its success depends on sustained international support and cooperation.
Erdogan’s meetings also underscored Türkiye’s growing role as a regional power broker. By engaging with leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, Ankara is positioning itself as a key player in the search for peace in Gaza. Türkiye’s humanitarian efforts, including its consistent delivery of aid to Gaza, have earned it goodwill among Palestinians and bolstered its diplomatic standing. At the same time, Erdogan’s criticism of Israeli actions reflects Türkiye’s broader stance on the Palestinian issue, which has long been a priority in its foreign policy.
The discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh also highlighted the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges. The Gaza crisis, with its far-reaching implications for regional stability, requires coordinated efforts from the international community. Erdogan’s meetings with Starmer, Macron, Sheikh Mansour, Meloni, and Sheikh Tamim reflect a shared recognition of the need to work together to achieve a sustainable resolution.
As the summit concluded, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and advancing the cause of peace. He called on the international community to remain vigilant in ensuring that the ceasefire holds and that reconstruction efforts begin in earnest. The Turkish president’s vision for a two-state solution, coupled with his emphasis on humanitarian aid and reconstruction, underscores the multifaceted approach needed to address the crisis in Gaza.
The road ahead remains uncertain, but the developments in Sharm el-Sheikh mark a critical moment in the quest for peace. The release of captives and prisoners, combined with renewed diplomatic efforts, offers hope that a lasting resolution may be within reach. For Türkiye, the summit provided an opportunity to reaffirm its role as a leader in the region and a champion of the Palestinian cause. As Erdogan returns to Ankara, his government is expected to continue its diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, working alongside international partners to build a more stable and prosperous future for Gaza.
In conclusion, the Sharm el-Sheikh summit highlighted the urgency of addressing the Gaza crisis through a combination of diplomacy, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction. Erdogan’s meetings with world leaders underscored Türkiye’s commitment to a two-state solution and its determination to play a leading role in resolving the conflict. While challenges remain, the progress made at the summit offers a cautiously optimistic outlook for the future of Gaza and the broader Middle East.
