ANKARA (A.A) - 02.04.2022 - Turkey and Palestine signed on Tuesday an education cooperation agreement.
National Minister Metin Bostancioglu and Palestinian Higher Education Minister Dr. Munthir Salah signed it.
Speaking before the signing of the protocol, Bostancioglu said that Dr. Salah was in Turkey for continuation and development of the existing cooperation between Turkey and Palestine in the education field.
Expressing sorrow over the recent incidents in the Middle East, Bostancioglu said that Turkey closely watched the developments.
Bostancioglu said that they wanted peace to come to the region, adding that Turkey will continue pursuing its compromising attitude for installation of peace and stability.
He noted that Turkey and Palestine signed a document of declaration and cooperation in fields of education and science on Sept. 25 1993 when Palestinian President Arafat visited Turkey and an education protocol was signed in Jerusalem on Dec. 27, 1994. Bostancioglu noted that Turkey and Palestine also signed a cooperation agreement for the years 1998-2000 during the visit of former Palestinian minister of higher education Ashrawi to Turkey. Bostancioglu said that the two sides signed ''Youth and Sports Cooperation Protocol'' in Ramallah on Sept. 8, 1998.
Referring to the aim of Dr. Salah's visit, Bostancioglu said that they would discuss issues of cooperation between universities, exchange of teachers and students, developing common projects, giving scholarships, opening the Department of Turkish Language and Literature in one of Palestinian universities, and exchange of documents and information about cultural activities and youth and sports during Salah's visit.
Bostancioglu said that a memorandum of understanding will be signed as a result of the meetings.
Palestinian Minister Dr. Salah said in his part that he pays this visit to Turkey under difficult conditions. He noted that Arafat wanted him not to delay his visit to Turkey, and he gave information about the situation in Palestine.
Noting that universities and schools are closed in Palestine, Dr. Salah said that students and teachers could not go to school during the last two years as the cities, towns and villages were under siege.
Reiterating that the Palestinian people live under difficult conditions, Dr. Salah said that Palestine faced a state terrorism.
Noting that the western world was in favour of democracy and freedom, but it only watched the incidents in Palestine, Dr. Salah said that ''should not the Palestinian people resist although they are treated harshly?'' Dr. Salah said that the Palestinian administration aims to make its education and peace desire be heard by the world by this visit.
Dr. Salah pointed out that the Palestinian people welcomed the proposals of Saudi Arabia at the Arab League, adding that the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon didn't accept that.