ANKARA - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer hosted on Tuesday a dinner in honor of Israeli President Moshe Katsav, who is currently paying an official visit to Turkey.
Sezer who delivered a speech prior to the dinner said that Turkey was ready to work with sides in the region and support all kinds of initiatives to settle atmosphere of peace in the Middle East.
Drawing attention to rapid developments which took place in recent years in Turkish-Israeli relations, Sezer said, ''I believe that Katsav's visit will create new possibilities to further improve relations between the two countries.''
Sezer said that Turkey was one of the first countries which recognized Israeli State and which established diplomatic relations with Israel.
''Although Turkey's relations with Israel were affected by some turbulent flow in the Middle East time to time, those relations have continued by improving till today. We should search for those sound ties between the two countries not only in 55 year relations, but also in social fusion which was brought by Jewish migration to Ottoman territories and Jewish people's contributions to economy and trade life and also art and science in Ottoman Empire,'' Sezer noted.
Sezer said, ''I also would like to say that Israeli citizens of Turkish origin who migrated to Israel after they lived in our territories for centuries formed a friendly bridge between the two countries.''
Noting that developments in the Middle East region affected Turkey deeply , Sezer said, ''to this end, settlement of peace and stability in the region is among foreign policy priorities of our country. I would like to emphasize that we consider continuation of presence of Israel within safe borders one of sine qua non of peace and stability in the region.''
Sezer said that they welcomed recent important and positive developments toward solution of Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stated that ''road map'' which foresaw peace in the Middle East, both sides' taking concrete steps and making cooperation with good will to end clashes, terror and violence were very important.
Noting that Turkey was a country which had confidence of the two sides, Sezer said that Turkey was ready to work with sides in the region and support all kinds of initiatives to settle atmosphere of peace in the Middle East.
Sezer said that steps which would further improve economic and commercial relations between Turkey and Israel should be taken as soon as possible and stated, ''there is an appropriate atmosphere for Turkish and Israeli businessmen to make cooperation not only in the Middle East but also in other regions. We should encourage our businessmen to make joint investments in third countries.''
Katsav said in his part that they attributed great importance to relations with Turkey for its geographical location and its efforts for protection of stability and peace and stated that Turkey, as a country which had developed democracy tradition, was a positive model for countries in the Middle East with its determination for fulfillment of economic and social reforms.
Noting that Turkey was aware of importance of fight against international terrorism, Katsav said that Israel considered Turkey an ally.
Katsav said that terrorism in the Middle East was not an expression of freedom and independence war and stated that terrorism must not have any explanation, understanding and reason.
Stating that international terrorism did not have any limits or restrictions, Katsav said that everyone should fight against countries which wanted to have mass destruction weapons and which supported international terrorism.
President Katsav said that Israel did not have any intention to occupy Palestinian territories or overthrow Palestinian administration and noted that he believed sincere intention of Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas to end terrorism.
Katsav thanked to Turkish people for allowing Jewish people who were driven away from Europe in 15th century to settle and live in territories of Ottoman Empire.
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, State Minister Mehmet Aydin, U.S. Ambassador in Ankara Robert Pearson and high level officials also attended the dinner.
(EÖ-AÖ) 09.07.2003