ID :
186317
Fri, 06/03/2011 - 13:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/186317
The shortlink copeid
Turkey's foreign minister says Turkey neither encourages nor discourages possible new aid flotillas
ANKARA (A.A) - 03.06.2011 - Turkey's foreign minister said on Friday that Turkey could neither encourage nor discourage possible new Gaza-bound aid flotillas.
Ahmet Davutoglu said a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was not taking action in line with directives of a government or a country.
"Turkey has neither encouraged such a campaign nor given instructions against launching of such a campaign," Davutoglu told a televised interview.
Davutoglu said Turkey was doing its best to prevent a negative scenario regarding a new flotilla.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli army attacked on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, killing nine people, including eight Turks and an American citizen.
"The Gaza blockade is not legal, and there are not any parties or remarks other than Israel arguing that it is legitimate," he said.
Davutoglu said international community should give strong messages to Israel, but when it did not happen, NGOs had launched initiatives.
The aid flotilla did not only consist of Turkish citizens, but they also contained other nationals, he said.
Davutoglu said in such a case, all countries should be asked why they did not prevent participation of their own citizens in that campaign.
Minister Davutoglu said he met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Rome, Italy on Wednesday and Abbas told him that a government would be formed in Palestine in a few weeks.
Davutoglu said Israel escalated the tension with its remarks that it would not recognize the new Palestinian government instead of saying that it would lift the blockade when a government was set up.
"East Mediterranean is not Israel's inner lake, but an international navigation area," he said.
Referring to developments in Libya and Syria, Davutoglu said Turkey had pursued a balanced policy regarding those countries and the entire region.
Davutoglu said, "we want the best for Syria, and we do not want to intervene in its domestic affairs."
Turkey would be at the top of countries that would be affected the most from a chaotic atmosphere in Syria, Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu said therefore, it was impossible for Turkey to remain indifferent to developments and encouraged positive steps like declaration of general amnesty.
The minister said the gathering of Syrian opposition members in southern Turkey (Antalya) could be disturbing for the Syrian administration, however Turkey was a democratic country.
Davutoglu said if pro-Assad group wanted to hold a meeting in Turkey, nobody would prevent it. "We want Turkey to be a reference and eminent country where all parties meet and where views are intermingled."
Turkey's foreign minister also said Turkey was optimistic in the long term, but such turbulent flows could be experienced.
Ahmet Davutoglu said a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was not taking action in line with directives of a government or a country.
"Turkey has neither encouraged such a campaign nor given instructions against launching of such a campaign," Davutoglu told a televised interview.
Davutoglu said Turkey was doing its best to prevent a negative scenario regarding a new flotilla.
On May 31, 2010, Israeli army attacked on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, killing nine people, including eight Turks and an American citizen.
"The Gaza blockade is not legal, and there are not any parties or remarks other than Israel arguing that it is legitimate," he said.
Davutoglu said international community should give strong messages to Israel, but when it did not happen, NGOs had launched initiatives.
The aid flotilla did not only consist of Turkish citizens, but they also contained other nationals, he said.
Davutoglu said in such a case, all countries should be asked why they did not prevent participation of their own citizens in that campaign.
Minister Davutoglu said he met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Rome, Italy on Wednesday and Abbas told him that a government would be formed in Palestine in a few weeks.
Davutoglu said Israel escalated the tension with its remarks that it would not recognize the new Palestinian government instead of saying that it would lift the blockade when a government was set up.
"East Mediterranean is not Israel's inner lake, but an international navigation area," he said.
Referring to developments in Libya and Syria, Davutoglu said Turkey had pursued a balanced policy regarding those countries and the entire region.
Davutoglu said, "we want the best for Syria, and we do not want to intervene in its domestic affairs."
Turkey would be at the top of countries that would be affected the most from a chaotic atmosphere in Syria, Davutoglu said.
Davutoglu said therefore, it was impossible for Turkey to remain indifferent to developments and encouraged positive steps like declaration of general amnesty.
The minister said the gathering of Syrian opposition members in southern Turkey (Antalya) could be disturbing for the Syrian administration, however Turkey was a democratic country.
Davutoglu said if pro-Assad group wanted to hold a meeting in Turkey, nobody would prevent it. "We want Turkey to be a reference and eminent country where all parties meet and where views are intermingled."
Turkey's foreign minister also said Turkey was optimistic in the long term, but such turbulent flows could be experienced.
