Latest news with #FahrettinAltun
News18
25-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Erdogan To Host Shehbaz Sharif In Istanbul For Talks Amid India-Turkey Strains
Last Updated: Turkey was the only West Asian nation to openly criticise the operation Sindoor and back Pakistan, deepening the fault lines between Ankara and New Delhi. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold high-level talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday, according to a statement by Erdogan's communications chief, Fahrettin Altun. The leaders will discuss bilateral relations, regional security, and the fight against terrorism, reports Reuters. 'During the meeting, bilateral relations, regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism, will be discussed," Fahrettin Altun said on X. The meeting takes place amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Turkey, triggered by India's boycott of Turkish goods and services following Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism mission. Turkey was the only West Asian nation to openly criticise the operation and back Pakistan, deepening the fault lines between Ankara and New Delhi. Turkey-Pakistan defence ties have drawn attention. A Turkish Ada-class anti-submarine corvette docked at Karachi port on May 2, while a Turkish C-130 Hercules military aircraft landed in Karachi on April 27, reportedly carrying military supplies. Although Turkey claims these were routine visits, reports suggest Pakistan used Turkish-made drones in its conflict with India. First Published: May 25, 2025, 20:15 IST
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First Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
PM Sharif to meet Prez Erdogan today as shadow of India-Pak tensions, boycott of Turkish businesses looms
Turkish support for Pakistani military during its tensions with India reportedly included supplying over 350 military drones and deploying operatives to assist Pakistan's forces. India has lodged diplomatic protests regarding this, and Turkish businesses have been boycotted. read more (File) Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharid and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet on Sunday. Image courtesy: Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will hold talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday (May 25), as diplomatic and economic tensions with India escalate over Ankara's recent support for Islamabad during heightened India-Pakistan hostilities. Fahrettin Altun, Erdoğan's head of communications, confirmed via social media platform X that the leaders would discuss 'bilateral relations, regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism.' Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, bugün İstanbul'daki Dolmabahçe Çalışma Ofisinde Pakistan Başbakanı Sayın Şahbaz Şerif'i kabul edeceklerdir. Sayın Cumhurbaşkanımızın Sayın Şerif'i kabulünde, Türkiye-Pakistan ikili ilişkileri çeşitli veçheleriyle değerlendirilecek;… — Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) May 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Turkey's relations with India The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Turkey's increasingly assertive role in South Asian geopolitics. Relations with India deteriorated sharply following Turkey's overt backing of Pakistan during recent tensions stemming from the deadly April 2025 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. In retaliation, India initiated military operations dubbed 'Operation Sindoor,' targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response to these developments, Erdoğan publicly expressed solidarity with Pakistan, praising Islamabad's 'calm and restrained' stance and echoing its call for an independent investigation into the incident. Turkish support for Pakistan reportedly included supplying over 350 military drones and deploying operatives to assist Pakistan's military capabilities during the escalation. Additionally, Turkish military activities, such as a naval warship docking at Karachi port and the delivery of arms via a Turkish Air Force C-130 aircraft, have drawn sharp criticism from India. India responded vigorously to Turkey's involvement. New Delhi lodged diplomatic protests through its Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), strongly cautioning Ankara about respecting mutual sensitivities , especially concerning terrorism-related issues. Indian consumers and businesses launched economic boycotts of Turkish products, notably halting marble imports worth Rs 3,000 crore (approximately $360 million). India also revoked the security clearance of Turkish aviation firm Çelebi and is reviewing partnerships involving IndiGo and Turkish Airlines. With inputs from agencies
Al Arabiya
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Erdogan, Pakistan PM Sharif to meet in Istanbul on Sunday
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will hold talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Istanbul on Sunday, Erdogan's head of communications said. 'During the meeting, bilateral relations, regional and international issues, including the fight against terrorism, will be discussed,' Fahrettin Altun said on X
Asharq Al-Awsat
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Türkiye Says It Is Closely Monitoring PKK Disbandment to Secure Peace
Türkiye is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK, a senior official said Tuesday, following the militant Kurdish group's announcement that it is dissolving and ending its decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by several, announced the historic decision on Monday months after its imprisoned leader called for the group to formally disband and disarm — a move that could bring an end to one of the Middle East's longest-running insurgencies. In making the call, the PKK leader stressed the need for securing Kurdish rights through negotiation rather than armed struggle. Previous peace efforts with the group have failed, most recently in 2015. Given the past failures, a close aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed determination to uphold the current initiative and prevent any disruptions. 'We are closely following attempts to sabotage the process and we will not allow anyone to test our state's determination in this regard,' Fahrettin Altun, the head of the Turkish presidential communications office said. The PKK initially launched its struggle with the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state. Over time, it moderated its objectives toward autonomy and greater Kurdish rights within Türkiye. The conflict, which has spilled into neighboring Iraq and Syria, has claimed tens of thousands of lives since it began in the 1980s. The latest peace effort, which the government has labeled 'Terror-Free Türkiye' was launched in October, after a key ally of Erdogan suggested parole for PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan if the PKK renounces violence and disbands. Officials have not disclose details about the process that will follow the PKK's decision. Media close to the government have reported that the PKK's disarmament process is expected to take three to four months, with weapons being collected at designated locations in northern Iraq under official supervision. According to Hurriyet newspaper, the disarmament could be overseen jointly by Türkiye and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq or through a commission involving Türkiye, the United States, European Union nations and Iraq. The newspaper also suggested that high-ranking PKK members may be relocated to third countries, while lower-ranking militants without arrest warrants could return to Türkiye once a legal framework is established to facilitate their reintegration. Turkish officials have not responded to requests for comment on the report. Analysts expect Ocalan to see improved prison conditions following the PKK's disbandment. Erdogan said Monday the PKK's declaration should apply to all PKK-affiliated groups, including Kurdish groups in Syria. The Kurdish fighters in Syria have ties to the PKK and have been involved in intense fighting with Turkish-backed forces there. The leader of the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces previously said Ocalan's call for a dissolution does not apply to his group in Syria. The group then reached an agreement with the central government in Damascus for a nationwide ceasefire and its merger into the Syrian army. Despite the deal, Kurdish officials in Syria later declared their desire for a federal state, sparking tensions with the Syrian government. Some believe the main aim of the reconciliation effort is for Erdogan's government to garner Kurdish support for a new constitution that would allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his term ends.
Arab News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Turkiye says it is closely monitoring PKK disbandment to secure peace
ANKARA: Türkiye is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK, a senior official said Tuesday, following the militant Kurdish group's announcement that it is dissolving and ending its decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by several, announced the historic decision on Monday months after its imprisoned leader called for the group to formally disband and disarm — a move that could bring an end to one of the Middle East's longest-running insurgencies. In making the call, the PKK leader stressed the need for securing Kurdish rights through negotiation rather than armed struggle. Previous peace efforts with the group have failed, most recently in 2015. Given the past failures, a close aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed determination to uphold the current initiative and prevent any disruptions. 'We are closely following attempts to sabotage the process and we will not allow anyone to test our state's determination in this regard,' Fahrettin Altun, the head of the Turkish presidential communications office said. The PKK initially launched its struggle with the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state. Over time, it moderated its objectives toward autonomy and greater Kurdish rights within Türkiye. The conflict, which has spilled into neighboring Iraq and Syria, has claimed tens of thousands of lives since it began in the 1980s. The latest peace effort, which the government has labeled 'Terror-Free Turkiye' was launched in October, after a key ally of President Recep Tayyip suggested parole for PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan if the PKK renounces violence and disbands. Officials have not disclose details about the process that will follow the PKK's decision. Media close to the government have reported that the PKK's disarmament process is expected to take three to four months, with weapons being collected at designated locations in northern Iraq under official supervision. According to Hurriyet newspaper, the disarmament could be overseen jointly by Türkiye and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq or through a commission involving Türkiye, the United States, European Union nations and Iraq. The newspaper also suggested that high-ranking PKK members may be relocated to third countries, while lower-ranking militants without arrest warrants could return to Türkiye once a legal framework is established to facilitate their reintegration. Turkish officials have not responded to requests for comment on the report. Analysts expect Ocalan to see improved prison conditions following the PKK's disbandment. Erdogan said Monday the PKK's declaration should apply to all PKK-affiliated groups, including Kurdish groups in Syria. The Kurdish fighters in Syria have ties to the PKK and have been involved in intense fighting with Turkish-backed forces there. The leader of the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces previously said Ocalan's call for a dissolution does not apply to his group in Syria. The group then reached an agreement with the central government in Damascus for a nationwide ceasefire and its merger into the Syrian army. Despite the deal, Kurdish officials in Syria later declared their desire for a federal state, sparking tensions with the Syrian government. Some believe the main aim of the reconciliation effort is for Erdogan's government to garner Kurdish support for a new constitution that would allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his term ends. Turkiye is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK, a senior official said Tuesday. (AP/File)
