ANKARA, Jan 15 (AFP) - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said Saturday that the resumption of contacts between Israel and the Palestinians would be "the best response" to the opponents of peace as he expressed concern over the escalation of violence in the region.
Israel cut off all official contact with the Palestinians Friday after six Israelis were killed in a bomb attack in the Gaza Strip, casting fresh doubt on prospects of reviving the peace process following the election last week of Mahmud Abbas as the new Palestinian leader.
"The intensification of peace efforts... and the resumption of dialogue between Israel and Palestine, primarily on joint security arrangements, will constitute the best response to those who want to undermine the search and hopes for peace," Gul said in a written statement.
The minister, whose country is seeking to use its close relations with both Israel and the Palestinians to help their reconciliation, said that "terror and violence cannot be a means of reaching peace."
"We wish that the two sides take into account this friendly advice of ours and we expect them to take the necessary measures to end terror and violence... and open the channels of dialogue in the shortest possible time," he said.
During a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories last week, Gul said that Turkey was ready to work to facilitate peace initiatives in the region.
01/15/2005 11:38 GMT - AFP