Peace, diplomacy highlight of Erdoğan’s UNGA meetings

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signaled positive developments were on the horizon for Türkiye’s relations with Greece and Israel, as he highlighted intense diplomatic efforts to revitalize relations, in a news conference with journalists in New York

Noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has changed “quite a lot,” Erdoğan said his meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly took place in a positive atmosphere.

“We both welcomed it because there’s nothing like peace,” he said.

He also noted that the Israeli prime minister may visit Türkiye in the near future.

Erdoğan also said the upcoming Thessaloniki summit would be an important leap in Türkiye-Greece ties.

“We hope it will change many things and will mutually benefit both sides,” he said.

Erdoğan noted that Azerbaijan’s anti-terror operation in Karabakh had nothing to do with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian or the Armenian state, it was targeting Armenian bandits in Karabakh, who attempted to arbitrarily hold elections, which disturbed Yerevan and Baku.

He continued by saying that Armenian separatists were warned numerous times but refused to smarten up and instead continued provocations.

“Azerbaijan took steps as they proceeded with provocations,” the president said, adding that the operation was completed in a timely manner by hitting 90 positions.