29-03-2024 08:12 AM Jerusalem Timing

Turkey Says Normalization Deal Depends on ’Israel’, Urges Britain to Stay in EU

Turkey Says Normalization Deal Depends on ’Israel’, Urges Britain to Stay in EU

Turkey on Wednesday said that reaching a deal at upcoming talks with the Zionist entity to normalize relations depended on steps taken by Tel Aviv.

Turkey on Wednesday said that reaching a deal at upcoming talks with the Zionist entity to normalize relations downgraded after a 2010 Israeli raid on a Turkish vessel heading to Gaza depended on steps taken by Tel Aviv.

"Whether a deal can be reached at the first upcoming meeting depends on the steps to be taken by Israel," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a news conference in Ankara. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu He did not give the date of the meeting although press reports have said it would take place on Sunday.

Relations between once close allies Ankara and Tel Aviv hit an all time low after Israeli commandos staged a botched pre-dawn raid on a six-ship flotilla in May 2010 as it tried to run the blockade on Gaza strip.

Nine activists on board the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara ferry were killed, with a tenth person later dying of his wounds, sparking a bitter diplomatic crisis. All 10 were Turkish nationals.

Two of Turkey's key conditions for normalization -- an apology and compensation -- were largely met, leaving its third demand, that Israel lift its blockade on Gaza, as the main obstacle.

"Our conditions are not very complicated, they are plain conditions," Cavusoglu said.
"They need to be fulfilled the same as our apology demand."

Turkey Wants Britain to Stay in EU
Meanwhile, the Turkish FM strongly backed Britain staying in the European Union, a day ahead of the referendum on its membership of the bloc.

"We want Britain to stay in the European Union under any circumstances," Foreign Minister t Cavusoglu told reporters.

London has traditionally been a strong supporter of Ankara's long-stalled bid to join the bloc. But Turkey's possible future membership has emerged as a major theme in the British referendum campaign.

Supporters of Britain's exit from the European Union have argued that the country risks being swamped by millions of Turks in the future if it remains a member and Turkey joined.

Prime Minister David Cameron countered that Turkish membership was not "remotely on the cards" and may not happen until the year 3000.

"We desire Britain to stay in the EU," said Cavusoglu. "Britain's exit would certainly have a negative impact."

But he also warned the EU would weaken if it failed to "renew itself, correct wrong policies and produce solutions to problems faced by European people... and stand strong against negative trends like racism and xenophobia".

He said EU efforts on such issues would be "only half done" if it excluded Turkey. "The EU should not be scared of a strong Turkey, and instead it should cooperate with a strong Turkey."