Turkey-Palestinian Authority security cooperation goes into effect

Turkey has ratified a security cooperation agreement signed with the Palestinian Authority in 2018, Yeni Şafak newspaper reported on Thursday.

The move is an initial step in implementing a model similar to the maritime agreement signed between Ankara and Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), the newspaper said.

Signed on Nov. 27, 2019, the Turkey-Libya deal denotes new maritime boundaries between the two nations, that cut across a zone in the Mediterranean currently claimed by Greece and Cyprus and spans from southwest Turkey to northeast Libya.

The agreement sees the training of Palestinian law enforcement forces at the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy in Turkey, according to Yeni Şafak, as well as consultation and technical assistance for the forces in a bid to increase their capabilities.

The agreement marks a new phase in Turkey-Palestine relations, the newspaper said, including cooperation in combatting crimes, including money laundering, narcotics, human trafficking, among others.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause and criticof the Israeli government.

Turkey last month condemned Israel, which launched a series of heavy air strikes at several locations of Gaza City following an increase in tensions between the sides, killing 256 Palestinians, including 66 children.