Islam Times - Turkey Promises to Support Future-Palestine

Turkish Foreign Minister and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas discussed recent developments in the Middle East issue and also new projects regarding Turkey's support to Palestine, diplomats said on Friday.

Earlier in the day, Abbas held talks in the Turkish capital city of Ankara and met with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

At the meeting between Abbas and Davutoglu, Turkish side expressed the need for a unity among Palestinian groups, diplomatic sources said.

Turkey's assistance to Palestine in a wide range was another topic at the table at the meeting, diplomats said. Parties have agreed to implement new projects, including transfer of a 10 million USD of urgent financial assistance to Palestinian government, part of 150 million USD that Turkey pledged at Paris Conference.

Abbas told Turkish officials that the most important issue was to construct Palestine's own governmental buildings and create business, education and healthcare opportunities for Palestinian people in their own territory.

Turkish officials decided to build a university hospital, a new industry zone in Palestine and a congress center in Ramallah. Turkey will also help set up technologic infrastructure for Palestinian state television, diplomats said.

Turkey also reaffirmed its support to Palestine at the meeting between Abbas and Davutoglu, sources added.

After his talks in Ankara, Abbas departed from Turkey.