Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said some European and American circles tried to give the impression that Turkey was marketing new Ottoman ideas in the region, adding that Turkey’s foreign policy did not and would never carry such ideas or goals.
In an interview with Syria’s official news agency SANA, Davutoglu said, "the EU refuses to understand the prospects of Turkish policy and its openness to the neighboring countries and cancelling entry visas."
"Turkey’s success in convincing Tehran to sign an agreement for exchanging uranium on May 17, 2010, helped bolster the Turkish role in terms of international policy, as everyone was convinced that Turkey was correct and that it is honest and transparent in word and action. We are against punishing Iran without giving any clear information regarding its nuclear capabilities," he said.
Davutoglu said that Turkey was against all kinds of nuclear weapons in its region, adding that, at the same time, Turkey affirmed every country’s right to possess nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
He said that the west which was judging Iran for its intentions should take the same steps towards Israel which must also open its nuclear facilities to international inspectors.
Referring to Turkey-Israel relations, Davutoglu said, "Israel must be well aware that returning to normal relations with Ankara will not be achieved except through an official apology to Turkey and paying compensations to the victims of the Israeli aggression on the ship Marmara."
Davutoglu said that Turkish-Syrian relations had become a practical and successful example of international relations.
"Syria is Turkey’s portal to the Middle East and the Arab world, adding that Syria is one of the most important countries in the region and that security, stability and peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without Syria’s participation," he said.
"No-one can ignore what is happening to the Palestinian people in general and in Gaza in particular," Davutoglu said, adding that Gaza was not merely a Palestinian, Arab or Muslim issue, but was the responsibility of the international community which failed to shoulder its responsibilities and promises in this regard.
(UK-CE)