Turkish, South African foreign ministers discuss bilateral ties, regional issues

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday met with Naledi Pando, minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, in Brazil.

Fidan stated that Türkiye supports South Africa's genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the ICJ in late December and asked it for emergency measures to end Palestinian bloodshed in Gaza, where nearly 29,410 people have been killed since Oct. 7.

The World Court in January ordered Israel to take "all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

It also ordered Israel to take "immediate and effective" measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.

Fidan and Pando also exchanged views on the preparations for the official visit of South African President Matamela Cyril Ramphosa to Türkiye later this year.

During the closed-door meeting on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brazil, the ministers also talked upon bilateral relations, economy, trade, education and the fight against terrorism, the sources added.