ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Monday that his country has been supporting Palestinians' cause and struggle, Turkey's semi-official Anatolia news agency reported. The establishment of a Palestinian state on 1967 borders is not only a necessity but also an obligation of humanity; Davutoglu told a joint press conference with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Turkey's central city of Konya.

"Turkey supports the right of its Palestinian brothers to establish a state," Davutoglu said, adding he and Abbas discussed developments of the Palestinian issues, particularly the Palestinians' application to the UN, and developments in the Middle East.

"We will stand by our Palestinian brothers, and we support the Palestinians in their struggle," Davutoglu said.

For his part, Abbas expressed hope to hoist the flag of the Palestinian State soon, adding that the Palestinian had made great progress in compromise among itself, and hoped to reach a result soon. The Palestinian president said the Palestinians were ready to return to negotiations and was open to any type of proposals.

Abbas is expected to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Tuesday and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday.