ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has remarked today (Sunday) that cease-fire declared between Israel and Palestine on February 8th makes Turkey optimistic about peace, security and stability in the future. ''In our meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials, we will inform the parties that Turkey can help negotiations between Israel and Palestine. We may be able to sponsor conferences in Turkey that will contribute to Israeli-Palestinian ties,'' told Erdogan.
Erdogan stressed that Turkish-Israeli ties have a multi-dimensional shape. ''In the recent past, our economic and commercial ties with Israel have developed significantly. As of the end of 2004, our mutual trade volume reached 2 billion U.S. dollars. Further, there is a great increase in the number of Israeli tourists visiting Turkey. We are witnessing the development of Turkish-Israeli ties within the framework of mutual interests. During my present visit, we will sign a Turkey-Israel Industrial Research and Development Cooperation Agreement. During my stay in Israel, I will meet the Israeli President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers,'' stated Erdogan.
Premier Erdogan stressed that Turkey and Palestine have deep rooted historical ties.
''Turkey supports its Palestinian brothers and sisters in living under an independent government's roof. Turkey continues efforts to eliminate some of the pain experienced by the Palestinians. Turkey will continue assistance to Palestine during its re-construction process. The Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency will be opened during my present visit to Palestine,'' told Erdogan.
Erdogan commented that during his visit to Palestine, he will meet the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmed Kurey.
According to Erdogan, reaching an atmosphere of peace and stability in the region depends on dialogue and cooperation. ''If dialogue and cooperation fail, we would witness future clashes that will make the situation in the region chaotic and worse. The cease-fire of February 8th, helps us look at the future with confidence that things will get better in the region,'' expressed Erdogan.
Erdogan added that his meetings in Israel and Palestine will ''hopefully contribute to ties with both countries and help establish peace soon.''