Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), ANKARA -- Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed that his country will maintain its policy of rapprochement with Mideast nations. “It is intended for us when we look towards the West to turn our backs on the East, and no one has the right to expect this from us,” the premier said.
This came during the fourth annual banquet to break fast in Ramadan hosted by the Justice and Development (AK) Party for politicians, clergy of various denominations, and foreign ambassadors. But this year saw a change when Turkey declined to invite the Israeli ambassador in Ankara, Gabby Levy.
Erdogan said during a speech that Ankara did not “change its axis”, adding that membership in the European Union is a strategic goal and state policy for Turkey, and the current Turkish government advances toward all steps to achieve this historic, strategic objective.
On Turkey’s Eastern policy, Erdogan said: “We want to reach all nations, and no one should be worried about that. We are a global state, and not a tribal state. We have a comprehensive, multifaceted policy, and not a one-dimensional policy.”
On the Palestinian issue, he said: “Turkey will continue to make efforts for a just, constructive, comprehensive solution to the Palestine issue.”
Turning to the Israeli assault on the Marmara ship, he said: “Israel has to recognize its mistake, and apologize and pay compensation, and we will continue to pursue the matter until our demands are met.”
On his behalf, chairman of the AK Party’s foreign relations committee, Ömer Çelik, said: “The reason for not inviting the Israeli ambassador is not on a personal level,” adding that he was not invited to show Turkey’s position condemning the assaults by the Israeli government on the Marmara ship.
He added that “anyone who is unjust or inequitable can not pass the threshold of the Justice and Development party’s headquarters.”
He went on to say that the friendly event, which included Jews, Catholics, and Muslims, “is a symbolic message to the Israeli ambassador.”
The chief rabbi of Turkey Isaac Haliva and the chief of the Jewish community in Turkey, Sami Herman, were among those invited to the event.
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