Turkiye and Iran’s leaders met in Cairo at a D-8 summit for the first time since Bashar Assad’s ousting. They discussed regional conflicts, emphasizing unity in Syria and addressing crises in Gaza and Lebanon. Improved diplomatic ties between Egypt and Iran were noted, highlighting shifting alliances in the region.
In Cairo on Thursday, the leaders of Turkiye and Iran convened at a summit representing eight Muslim-majority nations, marking their first meeting since the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad. Turkiye has traditionally supported the opposition against Assad, whereas Iran has backed his regime. This gathering, associated with the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, was held amidst ongoing regional instability, notably the conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon’s tenuous ceasefire, and the unrest in Syria.
During the summit, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the need for unity and reconciliation in Syria, advocating for “the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.” He expressed aspirations for a “Syria free of terrorism” where diverse religious and ethnic communities coexist peacefully. Conversely, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian highlighted the imperative for action regarding the situations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, declaring it a “religious, legal and human duty to prevent further harm” to those impacted by these crises.
Pezeshkian’s arrival in Cairo marked a significant moment as he was the first Iranian president to visit Egypt since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s trip in 2013. Relations between Iran and Egypt have faced strains for decades; however, diplomatic communication has risen following Cairo’s role as a mediator in the war in Gaza. Recent high-level visits between Iranian and Egyptian officials signal a shift towards greater cooperation.
Looking ahead to the summit’s objectives, the Iranian foreign minister expressed hopes that it would deliver a strong message to the world, calling for an immediate end to Israeli actions in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. President Erdogan previously met with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in early 2023 to discuss economic collaboration and regional matters. Founded in 1997, the D-8 organization aims to enhance relations among its member countries: Egypt, Turkiye, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, established in 1997, seeks to foster economic collaboration among its member states, which are primarily Muslim-majority countries across different continents, including Southeast Asia and Africa. In light of escalating conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, leaders from member states convene to discuss unity and crisis management. The historical division between Turkiye and Iran over Syria’s conflict underscores the complexity and sensitivity of regional politics, further enhanced by evolving diplomatic relations between Iran and Egypt.
The summit in Cairo marked a significant diplomatic engagement between Turkiye and Iran, reflecting a desire for unity amidst regional chaos. Both leaders emphasized the necessity for addressing conflict and advocating for coexistence in Syria. The increasing diplomatic interactions between Egypt and Iran indicate potential shifts in regional alliances, with the D-8 organization’s role in fostering cooperation becoming ever more relevant in these challenging times.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
