Time to draw lessons from positive signals in the Middle East

The decision by the Irish government to recognize the state of Palestine is a welcome development, writes former president of Turkey Abdullah Gül.

I started my political career in 1991 —the same year as the first Gulf War and the Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid. The leaders of the time were well aware of the complex links between the Palestine problem and other challenges in the Middle East. Unfortunately, those links remain.

Since that time, I have witnessed many initiatives, plans, and projects for resolving various Middle East conflicts. Needless to say, my country, Turkey, has always been at the forefront of the international community’s efforts to secure peace, stability, and co-operation in the region, and I contributed to some of them as a member of parliament, prime minister, foreign minister, and finally as president.