ANKARA - Israeli First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Communications, Labor, Industry and Trade Ehud Olmert said on Thursday that the third countries, for the time being, did not have much to do in efforts to find a solution to the Middle East problem, adding that Turkey would play an important and positive role in providing stability in the region in the future.
Olmert met journalists at breakfast at Ankara's Sheraton Hotel.
When asked whether Turkey would undertake a role in efforts to find a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Olmert said that Turkey's desire to take place in the Middle East peace process was quite encouraging.
Noting that Turkey could undertake such a role in the future, Olmert said that, Israel, however, had been carrying out a unilateral action without setting up a dialogue with Palestine.
Stressing that it was not appropriate to set up a dialogue for now and that they did want to waste time, Olmert said that they had taken action to change the current situation in the region.
Neither Turkey nor the United States has much to do for the time being, he said, adding he believed that Turkey would play an important and positive role in the future.
Olmert said that Turkey's future role would help efforts to provide stability and create an atmosphere of democracy in the region.
Upon a question about relations between Israel and Syria, Olmert said that Israel had given priority to withdrawal from Gaza Strip and formation of the coalition.
Stressing that unilateral withdrawal of Israel from Gaza Strip was of historic importance, Olmert that it was achieved under leadership of the Likud.
Stressing that Israel withdrew from Gaza Strip on its own will, Olmert said that they wanted to change the status quo and create a friendly atmosphere in the region by forming new dynamics.
Upon another question, Olmert recalled that they had rejected the ''unfair and prejudiced'' recommendation of the International Court of Justice about the security wall.
Noting they were aware that the wall make the daily life more difficult for Palestinians, Olmert said that that acts of terrorism had entailed us to construct such a wall. He noted that they would demolish the wall when the acts of terrorism ended.
Referring to his meetings with Turkish officials, Olmert said that he had held interesting talks with Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.
(UK-AÖ) 15.07.2004