European Council President Charles Michel said that the European Union agreed to establish “positive and stable” relations with Turkey.

This came in statements to journalists on Wednesday at the conclusion of the sessions of the first day of the European Union summit held in the Belgian capital, Brussels.

Michel noted that European Union leaders wanted to hold a strategic discussion on relations with Turkey and that they reached a consensus at the end of the session.

He continued: “We want to establish positive relations with Turkey and develop stable relations. We want to work in a gradual and proportionate approach.”

Regarding Cyprus, Michel stressed that the situation on the island is very important.

He added: “We are particularly concerned with the situation in Cyprus, especially with regard to the solution path conducted by the United Nations.”

Since 1974, the island of Cyprus has been divided between two parts: the Turkish in the north and the Roman in the south. In 2004, the Greek Cypriots rejected a plan presented by the United Nations to unify the two parts of the island.

Since the collapse of the UN-sponsored Cyprus reunification talks in Switzerland in July 2017, no formal UN-brokered negotiations have taken place to settle the conflict on the island.​​​​​​

On Wednesday, the European Union announced in the final statement of the summit that it has a strategic interest in developing a stable and safe environment in the eastern Mediterranean and developing a mutually beneficial cooperation relationship with Turkey.

The statement stressed, “Attributing great importance to the resumption and progress of the Cyprus negotiations, which could also lead to improving cooperation between the European Union and Turkey.”

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Turkish diplomatic sources said that Ankara supports Palestine obtaining full membership in the United Nations.

The sources said on Wednesday that Palestine must obtain the approval of the UN Security Council and the support of two-thirds of the members of the UN General Assembly for its full membership.

It indicated that Algeria will submit a draft resolution for Palestine to gain full membership during the next UN Security Council meeting.

It pointed out that the issue has not been presented to the Council until today due to expectations that the United States of America will use its veto power against the draft law.

It stated that “Washington intends to use its veto against the draft resolution that Algeria will submit.”

The sources confirmed that “recent developments show that the issue of recognizing a Palestinian state is enjoying increasing support in the international community.”

It added: “Turkey has always been one of the strongest supporters of this issue and was a pioneer in Palestine obtaining the status of an observer member by the General Assembly’s decision in 2012, and during this stage we will also support the recognition of Palestine in all our meetings.”

The American administration had indicated its intention to use its veto power if Palestine’s full membership in the United Nations was proposed.

Earlier Wednesday, the US representative to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said that she “does not believe that full membership of Palestine in the United Nations will help achieve a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.”

Palestine obtained the status of a non-member observer state at the United Nations after a resolution adopted by the General Assembly by a large majority on November 29, 2012.

Palestine applied for full membership in the United Nations in 2011, but this application did not receive the necessary support in the UN Security Council.

On April 2, the Permanent Representative of Palestine to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, requesting that the membership application be reconsidered.

The Security Council will vote on Thursday on a draft resolution regarding Palestine gaining full membership in the United Nations instead of “non-member observer” status.

Obtaining full membership requires the approval of 9 member states of the Security Council (15 countries), provided that none of the five veto countries, namely the United States, Russia, France, Britain, and China, object.

If the Council approves, the membership application will be referred to the General Assembly, and it must obtain two-thirds of the votes of the Assembly, which is composed of 193 countries, 139 of which recognize the State of Palestine.

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10,564 tourists visited the ancient “Sümela Monastery” in the state of Trabzon, northeastern Turkey, during the days of Eid al-Fitr.

The monastery is located on the slope of the Altin Dara Valley in the Karadag Mountain in the Machka region, and is included in the Tentative List of World Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Heritage Organization (UNESCO).

The monastery, also known as the Monastery of the Virgin Mary, is carved into the rocks at an altitude of 300 meters and blends nature with history and culture.

According to data from officials of the Culture and Tourism Directorate in Trabzon, the total number of tourists who visited the Sümela Monastery during the holiday reached 10,564 people from Turkey and other countries.

Shula Keskin said that she came to visit Trabzon from the state of Erzurum in northeastern Turkey, and that the “Sümela Monastery” impressed her very much.

In turn, Recep Çakir said that he came from the state of Istanbul in northwestern Turkey, calling on everyone to visit the “Sümela Monastery” and see the historical fabric of the region.

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The Cappadocia region in the state of Nevşehir in central Turkey received an unprecedented high volume of tourists during the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

The occupancy rate of hotels and accommodation in the region reached almost 100 percent.

In addition to foreign tourists in the region, Cappadocia received local visitors during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which increased demand for the region, famous for its tourist attractions.

Ozay Onur, head of the Chamber of Tourist Guides in Nevşehir, said that Cappadocia and its surrounding areas witnessed an increase in the number of visitors during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, whether from foreign tourists or citizens.

He added that the density of visitors reached unprecedented levels during this period.

In turn, Argun Ishiq, a visitor to Cappadocia, said that he chose to spend the Eid holiday this year in Cappadocia.

He expressed his admiration for the tourist and archaeological attractions in the region.

The Cappadocia region is distinguished as one of the most strange and beautiful natural landscapes in the world, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has classified it as a World Heritage Site.

What the region is most famous for are the “fairy chimneys” or “devil’s tables”, which are column-shaped stones topped with rocks, which were formed naturally as a result of the influence of winds and weather factors on the volcanic rocks that the region abounds in.

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The head of the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Department, Fahrettin Altun, condemned the Israeli attack that targeted a team affiliated with the official Turkish “TRT Arabi” television in the Gaza Strip.

This was stated in a post on his account on the X platform.

Altun pointed out that the Israeli occupation’s deliberate targeting of journalists during its attacks on the Gaza Strip continues unabated.

He stated that the “TRT Arabi” team’s car, which was preparing to broadcast in the Nuseirat camp in Gaza, was subjected to an air attack by the Israeli army.

Altun confirmed that independent photojournalist Sami Shehadeh was critically injured in the attack and underwent surgery, while “TRT Arabi” correspondent Sami Barhoum survived without injury.

He said: “We condemn this despicable attack. It is terrorism. This terrorism must stop and the Western world must oppose this brutality as soon as possible.”

Altun explained that Israel targets journalists and attacks the freedom of the press to prevent seeing its massacres.

He stressed that the international community’s indifference to these attacks encourages Israel.

He added: “Enough is enough. The international community must take action against the brutality that is happening before our eyes.”

Altun said that those who remain silent in the face of these systematic attacks are complicit in the crime of genocide committed by Israel.

He continued: “I once again condemn the Israeli attacks targeting journalists in Gaza.”

Altun expressed his wishes for a speedy recovery to photographer Sami Shehadeh and his condolences to the TRT family.

In a related context, the Director General of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT), Muhammad Zahid Subaji, said that criminal Israel targeted the car of the “TRT Arab” team.

Subaji expressed his regret over the loss of his foot by freelance photographer Sami Shehadeh as a result of the attack, stressing that correspondent Sami Barhoum’s health is good.

He added: “I condemn Israeli brutality, which has no moral, legal or humanitarian limits.”

On Friday, the Israeli army targeted a TRT Arabi channel team while it was working as a journalist in the Nuseirat camp.

The channel reported that the attack resulted in cameraman Sami Shehadeh sustaining injuries described as moderate to serious, and the amputation of his foot. Reporter Sami Barhoum also sustained minor injuries.

Eid al-Fitr fell on Gaza this year, while Israel has been waging a devastating war on the Strip since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 100,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

Israel continues the war despite the Security Council issuing an immediate ceasefire resolution, and despite its first appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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Turkey ranked first in the world among the countries sending the most aid to the Gaza Strip, which is subjected to an Israeli war and siege.

Israeli Ministry of Defense data showed on Monday that the aid sent from Turkey to Gaza amounted to 26 percent of the total aid that entered the Strip.

According to the same data, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey shared first place with the same percentage.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia came in second place with 15 percent, followed by Qatar with 7 percent.

In addition, Türkiye donated 7 ambulances out of 74 that were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.

Also, 3,204 sick and wounded people, along with 725 companions, were evacuated from the Gaza Strip to receive treatment abroad, coordinated by Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

Turkey continues to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in coordination with Egypt since the start of the Israeli attacks.

On the other hand, Turkey continues its assistance to the sick and wounded who were unable to obtain health care after the Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Many countries of the world sent humanitarian aid to Gaza through Egyptian territory, but Israeli obstacles led to the cessation of most of this aid on the Egyptian side.

Israel also ignores international calls to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border gate with Egypt.

The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza for 6 months has left more than 100,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that have claimed the lives of children and the elderly, according to Palestinian and UN data.

On the eve of Eid al-Fitr, Israel continues the war despite the Security Council issuing an immediate ceasefire resolution, and despite its first appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

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The Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the scenes coming from the Palestinian Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip are evidence that Israel wants to deliberately and systematically eliminate the Palestinian people.

The Turkish Ministry added in a statement that Israel’s crimes during the past six months are among the most horrific atrocities in human history.

It stressed that the perpetrators of these crimes will be tried for their crimes, and history will record those who turned a blind eye to these crimes in its black pages.

It stressed that it is the duty of the international community to stop Israel, which ignores human conscience and law and harms global peace and stability.

It also stressed the need to take the necessary measures without delay to ensure the implementation of the recent ceasefire resolution adopted by the UN Security Council and the additional measures announced by the International Court of Justice.

Earlier Monday, the Israeli army withdrew completely from within the Al-Shifa Medical Complex and its surrounding areas, leaving behind massive destruction and a humanitarian catastrophe that it committed over a period of 14 days, in addition to burning and destroying the complex’s buildings and most of the homes surrounding it.

Israel continues the war despite the issuance of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan and despite its appearance before the International Court of Justice on charges of committing “genocide.”

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza with American support, leaving tens of thousands of civilian casualties, most of them children and women, and massive destruction and famine that claimed the lives of dozens of children, according to Palestinian and UN data.

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Mrs. Emine Erdogan, wife of the Turkish President, celebrated “World Zero Waste Day” on Saturday.

Through her account on the “X” platform, the First Lady published a video message on the occasion of World Zero Waste Day, corresponding to March 30.

In her post, the wife of the Turkish President pointed out her participation via a video message in an event at the United Nations on this occasion.

She added: “I congratulate all the environmental volunteers who are giving their time and effort to make our common home, the world, a more livable place on the occasion of World Zero Waste Day.”

She added: “I wish for a prosperous world in which resources are used optimally, waste is reduced to a minimum, and sustainability prevails.”

The video published by Mrs. Erdogan included excerpts from her video message to the United Nations event.

On the other hand, UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised First Lady Erdogan’s efforts on “zero waste” in a video message he sent to the event held at the UN headquarters in New York.

Guterres thanked Ms. Emine Erdogan for her “visionary leadership” on an important issue such as zero waste.

Turkey launched the Zero Waste Project in 2017, at the initiative of Emine Erdogan, with the aim of combating the impact of waste and waste on the environment, changing people’s consumption habits, and dealing with that waste by recycling it and making use of it after separating it according to its types at the source, with the aim of achieving a recycling rate of up to 60% in 2030.

In mid-December 2022, the United Nations approved the “Zero Waste” project resolution submitted by Turkey within the framework of plans for sustainable development and combating climate change.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously approved the resolution, which was mainly submitted by Turkey and jointly submitted by 105 countries.

With this resolution, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 30 as World Zero Waste Day.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday that his country will not stop until the Palestinians gain their freedom and establish their independent state.

This came during a speech during his participation in a mass gathering of supporters of the “Public Alliance” consisting of the Justice and Development Party and the Nationalist Movement in the Sancaktepe region of Istanbul.

Erdogan stressed that Turkey is making intensified efforts to increase pressure on Israel after the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution in the Gaza Strip.

He added: “We will not stop until the Palestinians gain their freedom, regain their occupied lands, and establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

He pointed out that yesterday, Thursday, Turkey sent an eighth aid ship to Egypt, carrying 125,000 food parcels with a load of 3,000 tons to deliver them to the Gaza Strip.

He pointed out that the unjust government of Israel, which does not recognize the law or sacred things, has been brutally killing brothers in Gaza for nearly 6 months.

President Erdogan pointed out that Turkey has so far sent, via ships and aircraft, more than 40,000 tons of aid to the region.

He stressed that Turkey is doing what is necessary to hold the perpetrators of genocide against children, women, infants and the elderly in Gaza accountable before the law.

He stressed that Turkey, with all its institutions, stands with Palestine, adding: “We are doing everything in our power, what we are able, and what our capabilities allow, and we will continue to do so.”

Erdogan explained that he, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, the head of the Intelligence Service, Ibrahim Kalin, the Emergency and Disaster Agency (AFAD), the Red Crescent, endowments, associations, and donors are working and struggling for Palestine and Gaza.

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The eighth humanitarian aid ship prepared by the Presidency of Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD) for the benefit of the people of Gaza, in cooperation with the General Directorate of Endowments, launched from the port of Mersin in southern Turkey on Thursday.

The ship carries 125,000 food baskets on board, with a total weight of 2,960 tons.

In his speech during the ship’s farewell ceremony, the governor of Mersin, Ali Hamza Pahlawan, said that the ship’s cargo was prepared with the participation of government institutions, civil organizations, and citizens’ donations.

He continued: “We all know and feel the cruelty and suffering that is happening in Gaza. Our beloved people, to whom we are proud to belong, are showing the necessary sensitivity towards Gaza.”

For his part, Turkish Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sardar Cham, said that Turkey, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has been striving for years to support the Palestinian cause.

He stressed that Turkey was and still stands with the oppressed in all parts of the world.

It should be noted that Turkey sent humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people on board 13 planes and 7 ships, in cooperation with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The total Turkish humanitarian aid materials sent to Gaza amounted to about 39,607 tons.

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