Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will focus on Israel's "massacres" in Gaza, calling for urgent action to protect Palestinians and advance the two-state solution.
Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before departing for New York on Sunday, President Erdogan said, "In my speech at the UN, I am going to voice the prosecution in Gaza, and Türkiye's efforts towards protecting stability in the region."
He said that this year's UNGA would be different from previous ones, as "many countries will recognise the State of Palestine".
The president expressed hope that growing recognition of Palestine would "accelerate implementation of the two-state solution", adding that the rights and security of Turkish Cypriots would also be part of his agenda.
Erdogan said he would meet US President Donald Trump during the assembly to discuss cooperation on trade and the defence industry, while stressing that "the current structure of the UN is not enough to fulfil its responsibilities".
The Turkish president also said that he will meet Syrian President Ahmed al Shara and Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani in New York, marking the first time in decades that Syria's leadership will be represented at the UNGA.
"Syrian brothers and sisters paid heavy costs for their freedom. We hope the UNGA will contribute to Syria's freedom," he said, adding that Türkiye wanted "peace in every inch of our region".
