Erdogan says Turkey will strengthen ties with Kurds, protect their rights in regional states

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country will continue to strengthen ties with Kurds and protect their rights in regional states, in an interview with Qatar-based Al Jazeera television. Erdogan said Syria's Kurds would share in the peace and stability process, adding that Turkey would stand alongside Syria and that he plans to visit the country in the coming period. On Libya, Erdogan described relations as stable and said Turkey would continue its support for Sudan, noting good ties with Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. He said Turkey cannot leave Gaza alone and will provide necessary support, arguing that Hamas has remained committed to its ceasefire obligations while Israel has continued the war. Erdogan said the agreement obliges signatory states to take joint action against external attacks and that other countries could join over time, with Egypt's participation also possible. He added that European Union membership is no longer among Turkey's priorities and that Europe is losing Turkey. Erdogan said he received a commitment from US President Donald Trump on F-35 fighter jets and expects that commitment to be fulfilled.