ANKARA - Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul stated on Friday that Israel and Palestine had to cooperate on basis of road map.
Gul released a statement in which he said that Turkey was ready to make every contribution to peace process.
Putting into practice the road map in Akaba which would ensure permanent peace between Israel and Palestine encouraged everybody, Gul recalled.
Gul said, ''the relative atmosphere of tranquility ensured after this development created positive steps of two sides to settle security and better living conditions of the Palestinians. But, terrorism and violence have started to hamper peace process as in the past.''
''We do not only sincerely wish that Israeli and Palestinian people live in tranquility and security, but also we regard this as an important target of our foreign policy,'' Gul noted.
Gul stated that he expressed this approach of Turkey during his meetings with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom and Palestinian Foreign Minister Nabil Shaat.
''It is not logical to consider developments recorded on the road to peace by many difficulties and efforts non-existent when a new blow is struck on the peace process. I know that it is not easy for the sides facing violence to see the agenda beyond the security targets. But, it is obvious that the main guarantee of settlement of security is to reach a comprehensive solution in the dispute,'' Gul said.
Stressing that everybody knew Turkey's ''principled and determined'' attitude against terrorism, Gul said, ''everyone should also comprehend that no legal goal can be reached with those methods. On the other side, people should take pains over the issue that methods used in fight against terrorism should not strengthen terror-violence vortex. People should refrain from making weaker Palestinian people's living conditions and security.''
''We believe that Israel and Palestine have to re-function cooperation channels on basis of road map. We have no doubt that both governments have political determination on living together in lasting peace and security. I believe that Palestinian government should take measures which will end terror and Israeli government should support Palestine in its struggle,'' Gul stated.
Gul said that they, as the government, attributed special importance to creating activity in Palestinian economy and removing social and economic problems of Palestinian people and stated that the other target was to create atmosphere of peace and cooperation in the region.
''We are also getting prepared for active initiatives on these two issues. Unfortunately, problems in peace process prevent those steps being taken toward those targets,'' he noted.
Gul said that Turkey backed peace process and stated that's why Turkey was ready to make every kind of contribution to the process.
He added that Israeli and Palestinian people should know that Turkey backed lasting peace and stability in the region.
(BRC-EÖ) 05.09.2003