Key speeches by leaders at the Cairo Peace Summit attended by 21 countries

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attended the Cairo Peace Summit held in Egypt's capital, Cairo, on behalf of Turkey. Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas and UN Secretary-General Guterres are also participating in the summit. Speaking at the summit, Minister Fidan drew attention to the thousands of civilians killed and assessed that if Israel continues its attacks, global peace will also be under threat.

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Key speeches by leaders at the Cairo Peace Summit attended by 21 countries

European Council President Charles Michel, European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, and United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended the Cairo Peace Summit, which saw high-level participation from 21 countries.

''GLOBAL PEACE UNDER THREAT''

Speaking on behalf of Turkey at the summit, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that if Israel's attacks continue, global peace will be under threat. Fidan said, "If this continues, it will threaten all global stability and peace with a geographical escalation."

Stating that "We will never allow the suffering of Palestinians to continue," Fidan added, "We want lasting peace; an agreement can be reached with a two-state solution." Fidan expressed, "Thousands of civilians are dying; there can be no such punishment."

''THERE MUST BE LIMITS TO HARM''

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, "Israel has the right to self-defense, but it must be in accordance with international humanitarian law. I would also like to clearly state that collective punishment is prohibited by the laws of war. These laws were designed to ensure that war has limits on the harm that can be inflicted on other people when it must be waged." Emphasizing that a two-state solution is the only valid option for the Israel-Palestine conflict, Mitsotakis stated, "The future of sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity can only be possible if the peace process restarts on the basis of a two-state solution. No military intervention can replace a viable political solution."

ITALIAN LEADER CALLS FOR TWO-STATE SOLUTION

Prime Minister Meloni stated that the international community must avoid an escalation of the conflict in Gaza and create a roadmap toward a two-state solution. Meloni said, "Innocent civilians have left their homes, and we need to respond to this from our perspective. We want to be the starting point for dialogue between Mediterranean countries and the European Union." Meloni emphasized that peaceful dialogue is crucial, including addressing the problem of terrorism that weakens many states, especially Muslim countries. Meloni said, "It is in the interest of all leaders at this table that what is happening in Gaza does not turn into a wider conflict, a war of religion and civilization, and does not waste the efforts to normalize relations in recent years. We are very worried about the fate of the hostages; there are Italians among them, and we want the hostages to be released immediately."

"I CALLED ON THE ISRAELI ARMY FOR RESTRAINT"

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that the UK has spoken directly with the Israeli government about the need to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, comply with international law, and protect the lives of civilians in Gaza, and that they expect "professionalism and restraint" from the Israeli army. Minister Cleverly said, "We all see on social media and in our societies how divisive and polarizing the current situation has become. We have a duty to work together to prevent instability from engulfing the region and costing more lives. We must ensure that peaceful coexistence wins. I still believe in the power of diplomacy and that a future where Israelis and Palestinians live in peace can be secured," noting that a two-state solution is possible.

"JAPAN FOCUSES ON 3 POINTS"

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said, "Japan's position on this issue is consistent and focuses on three points: the immediate release of hostages, all parties acting in accordance with international law, and the de-escalation of the situation." Minister Kamikawa also stated that organizing the evacuation of foreign citizens in the Gaza Strip is important.

"THIS CANNOT GO ON LIKE THIS"

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in his speech at the summit, "We are in the middle of a deep crisis. This carries the danger of turning into a crisis for the whole world." He said that Norway is concerned about the conditions in Gaza. Minister Eide stated, "Save the Children says a child is killed in Gaza every quarter of an hour. This cannot go on like this." Eide announced that Norway will donate an additional 15 million kroner to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for its work in Gaza.

"WE ARE IN SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL"

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, "We see terrible human suffering and fear everywhere in the region. There is no doubt that the lives of all civilians are of equal importance," while stating that the German government is in solidarity with Israel.

"THERE ARE RULES EVEN IN TIMES OF WAR"

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said in her speech, "We were encouraged by the news this morning that food and water could enter Gaza. But we need to see more. Even in times of crisis, there are principles; even in times of war, there are rules. All parties and conflicts must always respect international humanitarian law." Joly stated that it is vital that this conflict does not spread to the region and that Canada is seriously concerned about Iran's "actions aimed at destabilizing peace and security in the Middle East."

"ISRAEL'S DEFENSE MUST BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW"

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said, "Israel has the right to defend itself so that this does not happen again." Stating that Israel's defense must be fair and in accordance with international law, Colonna said, "These civilians are not responsible for the actions of the group (Hamas). We reject Hamas's actions and call on all other international parties to condemn Hamas's actions." Stating that a consensus must be reached on how to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine in a sustainable way, Colonna said, "Humanitarian aid should be directed to the most vulnerable areas, and a humanitarian corridor and ceasefire should be provided to ensure that those who want to leave the Gaza Strip can do so without any obstacles."

"IT HAS HUGE CONSEQUENCES FOR CIVILIANS"

Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said that Brazil is pushing for a multilateral solution in its current role as president of the United Nations Security Council. Vieira said, "The paralysis of the Security Council has huge consequences for the lives of civilians. This is not in the interest of the international community. We must make efforts to prevent the possibility of the conflict spreading regionally." Vieira noted that "just managing the conflict" is not an option and that steps must be taken toward the implementation of a two-state solution.

News Source: İHA