Turkish Ambassador to Cairo, Salih Mutlu Şen, has said that his country stands shoulder to shoulder with Egypt on its steadfast support of Palestinian people.
Türkiye, he added, appreciates highly Egypt’s leading role and efforts towards the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, facilitating the evacuation of foreign and dual nationals and finally bringing about a temporary truce.
“Türkiye will continue to take substantial responsibility in full cooperation with Egypt to deliver humanitarian aid and assume a significant role in the reconstruction of Gaza,” the ambassador said.
He noted that these measures include setting up field hospitals, sending in medical equipment, medicines, food and water as well as erecting container homes hopefully in the future.
“We are preparing to ship over 20,000 tonnes of flour to Gaza,” he added.
The ambassador made these remarks on Thursday during a celebration marking the centennial of the founding of the Turkish Republic.
He revealed that the second Turkish humanitarian ship arrived in Egypt on Friday.
The ship’s contents of 2,000 tonnes of aid, he said, were delivered promptly to the Egyptian Red Crescent.
“I wish to express my gratitude to the Egyptian Ministry of Health for their exemplary support and cooperation in delivering medical assistance to Gaza and in the treatment of the Palestinian patients,” he said.
He added that collective punishment and mass killings of civilians cannot be justified as self-defence.
“This bloodshed must stop,” the Turkish diplomat said.
“All humanitarian assistance must be delivered without hindrance,” he added.
He called for treating Gaza’s injured victims without delay.
“Gaza then will have to be rebuilt and the inhuman blockade and occupation must end in it and as well as in the whole of Palestine,” the ambassador said.
He emphasised that Türkiye firmly rejects the enforced displacement or relocation of Gaza’s population and the Palestinian people.
President Erdoğan to visit Cairo
The Turkish ambassador reviewed, meanwhile, relations between Egypt and Türkiye and the expected visit to Cairo by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
He said his embassy staff prepares for the visit, during which the Turkish leader will hold talks with President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on issues of common concern, not least Gaza.
“We look forward to an even brighter future in our relations and cooperation with brotherly and friendly Egypt,” the ambassador said.
“Our common history, culture and kinship will continue to inspire this brighter future,” he added.
He noted that trade and the economy would continue to constitute the backbone and strength of cooperation between the two countries.
He expected more Turkish investors to arrive every month and year in Egypt with their technology, knowhow and industrial capacity.
“Good relations between the two most important countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, namely Türkiye and Egypt, will reinforce security, stability and development for all in the region,” the ambassador said.
