Turkiye and Iran Leaders Meet in Cairo for D-8 Summit on Regional Crises
The leaders of Turkiye and Iran met in Cairo at the D-8 summit to address regional conflicts, particularly in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. Turkiye’s President Erdogan called for unity in Syria, while Iranian President Pezeshkian emphasized the need for action against the crises. This summit marks the first meeting between the two nations’ leaders since the ousting of Bashar Assad.
In Cairo, on Thursday, the leaders of Turkiye and Iran convened for a summit involving eight Muslim-majority nations. This longstanding meeting marked their first gathering following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Historically, Turkiye supported Assad’s opposition, while Iran backed his regime. The summit of the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation was held amidst various regional crises, including ongoing conflict in Gaza, a tenuous ceasefire in Lebanon, and persistent unrest in Syria.
During the summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye called for solidarity and reconciliation regarding the situation in Syria, emphasizing the necessity for “the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.” He expressed hopes for a more peaceful Syria, stating that it should be “free of terrorism” and a place where different religious and ethnic groups coexist harmoniously.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the urgent need for action to address crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, asserting the obligation to mitigate further suffering in these regions. Notably, Pezeshkian’s visit marked the first by an Iranian president to Egypt since 2013, signifying a potential thaw in relations that have been strained for decades, further strengthened by Cairo’s role as a mediator in the Gaza conflict.
Prior diplomatic interactions included the visits of Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi to Egypt and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty to Tehran for Pezeshkian’s inauguration. Pezeshkian articulated the hope that the summit would convey a robust message against Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, calling for an immediate cessation of violations.
As a precursor to the summit, Erdogan’s earlier discussions in Egypt with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi focused on enhancing economic ties and addressing regional conflicts. Established in 1997, the D-8 aims to strengthen cooperation among its members, which span from Southeast Asia to Africa, encompassing countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia alongside Egypt, Turkiye, and Iran.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation serves as a platform for collaboration among its member states, which include Egypt, Turkiye, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The organization was established in 1997 with a mission to foster economic and developmental cooperation. The recent summit in Cairo underscores the significance of diplomatic interactions in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape, particularly amidst ongoing crises in the Muslim world, including the Syrian civil war, the situation in Gaza, and tensions in Lebanon.
The recent summit in Cairo signifies a noteworthy engagement between Turkiye and Iran, highlighting the urgency for collaboration in addressing pressing regional issues. Both leaders articulated aspirations for peace and integrity in Syria, alongside a united front against ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. As the D-8 organization expands its role, the continued diplomatic efforts might play a critical role in resolving entangled regional crises, fostering economic cooperation among Muslim-majority nations.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
