Sharm el-Sheikh, October 13, 2025 – The Europe Today: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday reiterated that a lasting peace in Gaza can only be achieved through a two-state solution, during his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the sidelines of an international summit on the Gaza peace plan in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the meeting addressed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments. Erdogan called on the international community to intensify efforts toward realizing a two-state solution, emphasizing that this is the only viable path to sustainable peace in the region.
Highlighting Türkiye’s diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, Erdogan noted that Ankara has worked tirelessly to halt Israeli attacks and secure a ceasefire in Gaza. He affirmed that Türkiye would continue to strengthen initiatives aimed at making the ceasefire permanent and paving the way for long-term peace.
The Turkish leader also underscored the importance of ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip and urged the immediate commencement of reconstruction efforts. In addition, Erdogan expressed his commitment to expanding cooperation between Türkiye and the United Kingdom in various sectors, particularly the defense industry.
During his visit, President Erdogan also met with UAE Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Erdogan emphasized that the deepening political ties between Türkiye and the UAE have significantly contributed to growing cooperation in trade and investment. He stated that both nations are working to advance collaboration in strategic areas, including defense and technology.
Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Turkish president said Türkiye is exerting every possible effort to end the ongoing humanitarian tragedy and that a new window of opportunity for lasting peace has emerged—one that must be effectively utilized. He stressed the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance, and the urgent launch of reconstruction projects in Gaza.
Meanwhile, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails began on Monday following the completion of an agreement under which Hamas freed all 20 living Israeli captives held in Gaza. The exchange was part of the broader deal reached last week to end the war in the Palestinian enclave.
On the sidelines of the summit, President Erdogan also held separate closed-door meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation and coordinate efforts to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.
