ID :
177264
Fri, 04/22/2011 - 12:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/177264
The shortlink copeid
Turkey keeps watching closely the Mavi Marmara flotilla investigation
UNITED NATIONS (A.A) - 22.04.2011 - Turkey's representative to the United Nations has said that Turkey would keep following the investigation process on Israel's raid on Gazza aid flotilla.
Ertugrul Apakan, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made remarks at UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict laid at the heart of the many disputes in the region and merited special attention during the current period, he said.
Apakan said despite the current impasse — which he attributed to unabated Israeli settlement activity — he saw no alternative to a negotiated settlement, hoping the Quartet (UN, USA, EU and Russia) would meet soon to lay out the parameters of direct negotiations.
He said formidable Palestinian state-building and economic efforts could only be sustained if the political process proceeded in parallel with it, stating that the international community must not turn a blind eye to Palestinians' just and legitimate appeal to be accepted as a fully fledged member State of the international community.
Apakan said that the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip should urgently be alleviated and Israel must lift the blockade immediately.
"National reconciliation was also an urgent priority. Last year's flotilla tragedy was the result of numerous and successive violations of international law by Israel. Turkey had tried to prevent the incident, then referred the matter to relevant international bodies and had strictly abided by the parameters established by the international inquiry process," he said.
Apakan said his country would continue to press for accountability, adding that the humanitarian convoys could not be simply explained away as unilateral provocations; the root cause was the pattern of Israeli policies towards Gaza.
He reiterated his country's unwavering determination to assist Palestinians to reach their goal of a viable, peaceful and prosperous Palestinian State.
Ertugrul Apakan, Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made remarks at UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict laid at the heart of the many disputes in the region and merited special attention during the current period, he said.
Apakan said despite the current impasse — which he attributed to unabated Israeli settlement activity — he saw no alternative to a negotiated settlement, hoping the Quartet (UN, USA, EU and Russia) would meet soon to lay out the parameters of direct negotiations.
He said formidable Palestinian state-building and economic efforts could only be sustained if the political process proceeded in parallel with it, stating that the international community must not turn a blind eye to Palestinians' just and legitimate appeal to be accepted as a fully fledged member State of the international community.
Apakan said that the plight of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip should urgently be alleviated and Israel must lift the blockade immediately.
"National reconciliation was also an urgent priority. Last year's flotilla tragedy was the result of numerous and successive violations of international law by Israel. Turkey had tried to prevent the incident, then referred the matter to relevant international bodies and had strictly abided by the parameters established by the international inquiry process," he said.
Apakan said his country would continue to press for accountability, adding that the humanitarian convoys could not be simply explained away as unilateral provocations; the root cause was the pattern of Israeli policies towards Gaza.
He reiterated his country's unwavering determination to assist Palestinians to reach their goal of a viable, peaceful and prosperous Palestinian State.
