Turkish authorities continue intensive diplomacy on Gaza.
The US made a move against Türkiye’s relations with Russia and Hamas.
With the national team’s participation in the EURO 2024, citizens are looking forward to the Championship in the summer.
Türkiye’s “Gaza diplomacy”
Türkiye continues its intensive diplomatic initiatives regarding the Palestinian-Israeli war that started on 7 October. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan have held many meetings to secure a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Türkiye brought up “ceasefire in Gaza” at international meetings, in the Summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Istanbul on 11 November and the Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on 12 November.
President Erdoğan also held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ibrahim Reisi on the issue. In a post on the social media account of the Presidential Communications Directorate, it was stated that during the conversation, Israel’s unlawful attacks on Gaza, humanitarian aid activities for Palestinians and the steps that can be taken to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the region were discussed between the two leaders.
It was reported that in the conversation, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of a common attitude towards the Israeli atrocities in the Islamic geography.
Meanwhile, President Reisi’s visit to Türkiye, scheduled for November 28, was postponed, with no official reason being presented.
Brian E. Nelson visits Türkiye on Russia and Hamas
The US Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson visited Türkiye with an agenda covering Hamas and Russia, sources told Bloomberg. The purpose of Nelson’s visit is to warn Türkiye not to circumvent US sanctions on Russian institutions.
Bloomberg reported that Washington is also concerned about Ankara’s refusal to join unilateral US sanctions on Russian ships making port calls in Türkiye and Russian airlines providing ground handling services at Turkish airports. Both the US Treasury and the Turkish government spokesman allegedly refused to comment on it.
This will be Nelson’s second visit this year. Previously, he had visited Türkiye in early February and urged Ankara to take steps to comply with the sanctions. Nelson had made the following statement, that includes threat-like phrases, about his visit:
“The marked rise over the past year in non-essential Turkish exports or re-exports to Russia makes the Turkish private sector particularly vulnerable to reputational and sanctions risks. This is being driven by Moscow.
…
In engaging with sanctioned Russian entities, Turkish businesses and banks could put themselves at risk of sanctions and a potential loss of access to G7 markets and correspondent relationships.
Turkish businesses and banks should also take extra precaution to avoid transactions related to potential dual-use technology transfers that could be used by the Russian military-industrial complex.
Additionally, Russian oligarchs and government officials have continued to buy property, dock yachts, run businesses, and receive services for their property in Türkiye.
To mitigate these sanctions risks, I encourage you all as financial institutions to conduct enhanced due diligence on transactions with Russian entities and individuals, including in sectors particularly vulnerable to exploitation.”
Türkiye maintains commercial, diplomatic and political relations with Russia despite Western sanctions.
National Team in EURO 2024
Türkiye’s National Football Team drew away with Wales in the last match of EURO 2024 Qualifying Group D. With this result, Türkiye qualified for the EURO 2024 European Football Championship for the first time in its history as the group leader. This is Türkiye fifth participation in the European Football Championship.
Türkiye came at the top in Group D of EURO 2024 qualifiers, with 17 points – 5 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in 8 matches.
The EURO 2024 will be hosted by Germany this summer. The final tournament draw will be held in Hamburg on 2 December.