FM Dar, Turkish counterpart reaffirm support for Palestine, two-state solution

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday reviewed bilateral relations and regional developments of mutual interest during a telephone conversation.

The two foreign ministers reaffirmed their shared position on Palestine and expressed support for a joint statement by eight Arab and Islamic countries regarding the UK’s decision to ban imports from illegal Israeli settlements and restrict services linked to such settlements.

They also voiced support for a joint statement issued by the UK and other European countries on the two-state solution.

Pakistan on Wednesday welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to ban items originating from illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Foreign Office said the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory constitutes a blatant violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, adding that such actions undermine international efforts aimed at achieving a two-state solution and regional peace and stability.

Pakistan also welcomed announcements by several other countries — including Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden — to consider similar measures against the illegal settlements.

Meanwhile, Dar and Fidan also underscored the importance of maintaining close consultations on regional issues, including through the Regional Four (R4) framework involving Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The two sides also agreed to meet on the sidelines of the forthcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.