By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-On Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met British Secretary of State David Cameron in Istanbul where Fidan told him an urgent ceasefire in Gaza is necessary. The two met for 90 minutes then broke into inter-delegation talks with the war in Gaza as the main focus. They also discussed bilateral ties, current global issues and the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership bid, according to sources close to the presidency. Fidan expressed to Cameron that a full and immediate ceasefire along with a two-state solution is needed for lasting peace in Gaza. Fidan and Turkish President Erdogan have long maintained that the only path to peace and security is a two-state solution which Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has rejected. They also highlighted how crucial security is for the Black Sea and reiterated their commitment to boosting Turkish-UK ties in trade, economy and defense.
Cameron who held talks on Wednesday with Netanyahu, has been on a regional tour Israel, occupied Palestinian territories and Qatar with Turkiye as his fourth stop, as he holds talks with leaders on the need for an urgent humanitarian pause also securing a deal to release the Israeli hostages in Gaza. According to a UK government statement, Cameron “explained that he wants to see an immediate humanitarian pause to get hostages out and aid in, leading to a sustainable ceasefire without a return to hostilities.” He also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday to discuss developments in the West Bank and Gaza.
