ISTANBUL 

Türkiye plays an important role in global and regional politics, including in the Middle East, Denmark's foreign minister said on Friday. 

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Ankara's role "comes with a certain responsibility."

Rasmussen underlined that the two countries have been working in closely to prepare legal regulations on burnings of the Quran in Denmark, where copies of the Muslim holy book have been desecrated in a string of incidents earlier this year by Islamophobic figures and groups.

Denmark and Türkiye are also "good allies," he said, noting that though they "don't necessarily see eye-to-eye on all issues ... I'm convinced that we can strengthen our bilateral relations going forward."

Expressing concern on the situation in Gaza, which has been subject to intense Israeli bombardment and blockade in recent weeks, Rasmussen said his country considers Palestinian group Hamas, a "terrorist organization."

He also stressed the importance of re-energize the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and highlighted that a two-state solution would be a precondition for peace.

"I am pleased that the European leaders ... called for a peace summit in the foreseeable future," Rasmussen said, adding that Türkiye is an important partner and can play an important role in this regard.

The current conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically after Hamas' military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

Over 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza's 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.

- Sweden's NATO bid

On Sweden's ongoing bid to join the NATO alliance, Rasmussen welcomed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sending its accession protocol to the Turkish parliament for approval.

Erdogan signed Sweden's accession protocol on Monday and submitted it to Turkish lawmakers, who will have to ratify the decision for Stockholm to become the alliance's 32nd member.

Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership soon after Russia launched a war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Türkiye approved Finland's membership to NATO in March but said it was waiting for Sweden to abide by a trilateral memorandum signed in June last year to address Ankara's security concerns.

- Russia's actions in Ukraine have 'global consequences'

On the Russia-Ukraine war, Rasmussen said Denmark remains "unwavering" in its support of Kyiv in its efforts to reclaim its territories and opposes Moscow's "war of aggression."

Russia's actions have "global consequences" for energy and food crises, he added, pointing out Türkiye's role in the signing of the Black Sea grain deal in July 2022 between Moscow and Kyiv, with Turkish and UN mediation.

Amid efforts to continue Ukrainian agricultural exports after the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal in July, Kyiv and its partners have been looking for land routes to reach world markets from the war-ravaged country.

Russia refused to extend the grain deal, complaining that the West had not met its obligations and that there were still restrictions on its own food and fertilizer exports. Moscow was particularly critical of the restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance.