Today.Az » World news » Turkish ambassador: Nobody can spoil Turkey - U.S. relations
18 June 2010 [11:07] - Today.Az
Nobody and nothing can spoil the historical relations between the U.S. and Turkey, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic said.
"The countries have historically strategic and mutually beneficial relations. No one can hurt them, the relations will be expanded and strengthened," the Turkish diplomat said.
U.S. Congressmen from the Republican and Democratic parties, on Wednesday warned Turkey about the high price that it must pay if it continues the rapprochement with Iran, and takes harsh criticism towards Israel, the Arabic website Al Arabiya reported with reference to the Israeli media.
Congressmen's statements are connected with the actions of the Turkish government towards Israel after the events with "Freedom Flotilla". The humanitarian convoy, transporting about 600 international activists and moving to Gaza to break the naval blockade of the enclave, was stopped by the Israeli Navy in the neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The requirements of Israeli commandos to check whether there are weapons on board escalated into clashes. As a result, nine Turkish activists were killed. This led to a serious deterioration in relations between Turkey and Israel, which were military allies in the region in the past.
On Thursday Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that representatives of some Jewish organizations in the United States refused from meeting with Turkish officials to discuss the current crisis in bilateral relations. The newspaper quotes one of the representatives of the Jewish lobby, who expressed willingness to conduct a dialogue only if the Turkish government headed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan reconsiders relations with Israel.
Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan doubts that the Jewish lobby can damage relations between Ankara and Washington.
"Personal interests of the country are important for the U.S. Turkey and the United States are allies in NATO. Moreover, we are cooperating in various fields. Everybody knows the position of President Obama towards Turkey, as well as the position of Ankara towards the U.S", Ambassador said.
On Thursday, it was known about the cancellation of a joint Turkish-U.S meeting in Ankara, dedicated to the fight against terrorism, to be held this month, upon Washington's initiative. The White House spokesman Phillip Crawley said at a press-conference that the event was canceled because the delegation from the States, headed by the U.S. State Department Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism Daniel Benjamin was unable to attend the meeting as scheduled.
"Turkey is an important ally in the fight against terrorism. The U.S. are waiting for a new program of this event", Crowley said.
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