Palestinian leader Abbas expresses solidarity with Turkey

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has expressed solidarity with Turkey during a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

According to Turkish presidential sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Erdoğan and Abbas had a phone call on the evening of Aug. 16.

The leaders also discussed current issues, the sources added.

Ankara has launched a diplomatic offensive against the sanctions imposed by the United States over the continued detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.

Erdoğan and his French counterpart Emmanuelle Macron also spoke on the phone on Aug. 16, a day after the former had a similar conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Turkish president and Macron emphasized the importance of improving bilateral investment and economic and trade relations.

The two leaders also agreed on further talks between the economy and treasury ministers of both sides.

Earlier this week, Erdoğan and Merkel also discussed bilateral ties and the situation in Syria during a phone call on Aug. 15.

The two agreed upon a meeting between finance ministers of Turkey and Germany, while Merkel stressed that Berlin supports a strong Turkish economy.