Normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel this does not mean a change in his policy Turkey in Middle Eastassured on Tuesday the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoganwelcoming the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian President met with Erdogan for talks and a private dinner. This is his second visit to Turkey in a year. Last week, Turkey and Israel announced the restoration of relations and the return of their ambassadors.

Erdogan treated the Palestinian leader with great respect and helped him, holding his hand, down the steps covered with a turquoise carpet. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said that “the measures taken in our relations with Israel do not undermine our support for the Palestinian struggle” and assured that Turkey always supports the two-state solution.

Abbas did not mention Turkish-Israeli relations, but thanked Erdogan for his support. “I would like to once again express my gratitude that Turkey and the Turkish government are on the side of the Palestinians,” he said.

“The fact that we are normalizing our relations (with Israel) does not mean that Turkey will make concessions on the Palestinian struggle,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier. “The dialogue must continue even if we do not agree on everything,” he added in an interview with the Turkish private channel Haber Global.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}