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Turkey says it depends on Israel to normalize bilateral ties

Xinhua, June 22, 2016 Adjust font size:

Reaching normalized relations with Israel will depend on steps taken by Tel Aviv, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday, adding that talks between both countries are ongoing.

"Our conditions are simple. The deal in the first upcoming meeting depends on Israel's attitude," Cavusoglu told reporters during a joint press conference with his Turkish Cypriot Administration counterpart Tahsin Ertugruloglu in Ankara, without giving a date for that meeting.

Cavusoglu stressed that Ankara's talks with Hamas were no secret, adding that Turkey will continue talking with Hamas and that it was not a precondition for normalized relations with Israel.

He also said Ankara did not believe in permanent peace without Hamas.

Relations between Turkey and Israel were severely damaged following the raid of the Gaza-bound Mavi Marmara vessel by Israeli commandos in 2010, killing nine Turkish citizens and one Turkish-American citizen onboard.

The strained relations between Turkey and Israel may soon recover however, with both parties likely to reach a deal on Sunday, according to local press.

Cavusoglu also discussed the upcoming Brexit vote during the press conference, stating that a possible exit of Britain may harm the European Union (EU) and that Turkey wants Britain to stay in the EU "under any circumstances."

"It is not right to use the timing of Turkey's membership into the EU during the Brexit campaign. Turkey was never a burden to the EU," the Foreign Minister added.

Cavusoglu also said ,"The EU should not fear a strong Turkey but rather cooperate with a strong Turkey." Endite