Fatah Central Committee member, Nabil Shaath, Tuesday met with senior Turkish officials in Ankara to discuss outcome of the United Nations Palmer report and Palestinian bid to gain UN membership, according to a statement issued by his office. Shaath described his meeting with Turkish officials as “positive and in-depth.” He affirmed the Palestinian Authority's deep appreciation for the Turkish support of the Palestinian cause and bid to the membership of the United Nations. He said that the two sides agreed to hold intensive meetings in New York during the upcoming UN General Assembly meetings. President Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish Prime Minister Tayyeb Erdogan are expected to hold talks to follow up on the latest developments regarding the Palestinian UN initiative, according to a report of Palestine News and Information Agency "WAFA". Shaath expressed full support of the Turkish stance against the Israeli assault at the Turkish flotilla last year, saying that “Israel must apologize to Turkey and compensate victims of the assault.” The two sides decided to ask the International Court of Justice to cancel the Palmer report, which legitimizes the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip. Shaath is scheduled to travel to Brussels later Tuesday where he will meet European officials and leaders of political parties to discuss the Palestinian bid to UN.
