Davutoglu says Turkey has intention to make "peace with Israel"

Davutoglu had a meeting with columnists of several newspapers in Istanbul and replied to question on several matters. Replying to a question, Davutoglu said, "Turkey has intention to make peace with Israel. We are in favor of peace with all countries."

Apology and compensation were needed to continue friendship with Israel, he said.

Davutoglu said that he would not attend a welcoming ceremony for Mavi Marmara ship, which was attacked in international waters while carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza.

"We don't want any country to have nuclear weapon. We don't want Iran to have nuclear weapon," he said.

Davutoglu said that they were also against restrictions on nuclear technology. "Turkish economy has been growing. We aim to have 2.5 trillion USD of GNP in order to be included in the top ten countries. We don't have natural gas and oil. Thus we have to focus on renewable energy and nuclear energy," he said.

Davutoglu said that Turkey needed nuclear technology. "We want no crisis in the region, and we want nuclear energy not to decrease our economic competition power. The issue should be solved through peaceful means," he said.

He added, that they wanted to make Turkey one of the countries restoring the international system.

In regard to Turkey's EU accession talks, Davutoglu said that Turkey was determined to continue its EU process although Turkish people were tired of the matter.

"Our future is in Europe and Europe's future is in Turkey. EU needs Turkey and vice versa," he said.

Davutoglu said that Turkey had a more effective role in NATO now than it did 10 years ago, but they also opposed being a front-line country of NATO.

In regard to the relations between Turkey and the United States, Davutoglu said that there might be turbulence between the two countries regarding Iran and Israel in 2011.

Davutoglu said that several high-level talks were held between Ankara and Washington, D.C. and he had a fruitful meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C.


/World Bulletin/