Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan expects countries to take concrete steps regarding outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, and said the tolerance to the terrorist organization makes the Turkish nation sad.
The leader of the ruling Justice and Development Party, or AK Party, Erdogan attended the fourth traditional iftar (fast-breaking) dinner at his party's headquarters in the Turkish capital Thursday, organized by AK Party Deputy Chairperson Ömer Celik.
Numerous ministers, MPs as well as the media representatives, foreign envoys to Turkey except for the Israeli envoy Gaby Levy and religious leaders of different faiths showed up at the dinner.
Addressing the quests Turkish PM said the tolerance shown to the terrorist organization by certain countries, despite warnings, proofs, documents and information given by Turkey, make the Turkish nation sad.
"Turkey expected solidarity, sincerity and solid steps against the terrorist organization used as a subcontractor," he said.
Israel not invited in protest
With respect to the May 31 deadly Israeli attack on Gaza-bound aid flotilla in which Israeli Defence Forces commandos killed eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Israel had to accept its mistake.
Israel must apologize and pay compensation (to the families of the killed and wounded individuals), Erdogan stressed.
Deputy Chairperson of AK Party Celik said the Israeli Ambassador in Ankara Levy was not invited to iftar in order to protest the attitude of the Israeli state.
The Fast-Breaking Meal is one of friendship and brotherhood. There are Jews, Catholics and Muslims here. We will be all together here. Not inviting the Israeli ambassador was a symbolic act. The lack of an invitation to the Israeli ambassador has got nothing to do with the people of Israel, he added.
The UN committee needed to work under objective criteria and should bring out the reality, Celik argued.
He said the comments made by Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak that those Israeli troops and their commanders that were involved in the deadly May 31 attack can not be tried will only cast a shadow on the credibility of the UN committee.
"The UN committee should work in a transparent manner by questioning all involved."
`Turkey with face towards the West cannot turn its back to the East'
Reminding the concern and debate around the West regarding Turkey's foreign policy as well as stance with its Eastern neighbors and Muslim world, Erdodan reiterated there was no change in Turkey's foreign policy axis.
The PM said Turkey's goal to become a full member of the European Union (EU) is a state policy. "Our government is one that has taken comprehensive and solid steps to realize this strategic and historic goal."
Erdogan rules out comments on choice between East and West, saying "certain circles wanted Turkey to turn its face towards the West and its back on the East."
He said that no one had the right to request such a move from Turkey.
At times, the excitement for EU membership in Turkey goes down. This is not due to a deterioration in the Turkish government's will to become an EU member but rather due to the attitudes of the EU, Erdogan also said.
In regard to Iraq, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey will continue to support all efforts in order to establish tranquility, stability and welfare in this country.
Haberturk.com with wires