Turkey Calls Sides In Middle East To Return To Negotiation Table

ANKARA - Turkish Foreign Ministry Monday called on sides in the Middle East to return to the negotiation table.
A statement of Turkish Foreign Ministry said that Turkey was following recent developments in the Middle East with concern.
In its statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed concern and sorrow over high loss of lives in military operations launched by Israel against some refugee camps in Gaza Strip.
The statement said, ''we reiterate our call to the sides to refrain from any action which will increase the violence in the region. And, we would once more like to recall that they don't have any other alternative than returning to the negotiation table for lasting peace as soon as possible and to resume dialogue, particularly common security arrangements.''
Turkey had concerns over demolition of many houses in Gaza Strip's border with Egypt by the Israeli security forces, the statement noted.
The statement added, ''Turkey thinks that such actions won't serve Israel's security goals but will make living conditions of Palestinian people more difficult. Turkey also thinks that such actions will provide terrorist groups with new reasons to stage new actions.''
(BRC-AÖ) 17.05.2004