Gül praises relations with neighbor Syria
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Daily News with wires
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 18, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Peace should be established between Palestine, Syria and Israel, President Abdullah Gül told students at Aleppo University on Saturday.
"This issue will not come to an end before Palestine establishes an independent state," said Gül, who traveled to Aleppo following his visit to Damascus. "It is wrong to pressure only one side for peace. Everyone should do what it is responsible for." According to Gül, the United States has a key role to play in establishing peace in the Middle East, and U.S. President Barack Obama’s words on the subject have been promising.
Turkey gives great importance to the establishment of stability in the region and has been working towards it, Gül said, adding that such attempts have helped create trust toward his country in the Middle East.
Responding to a question regarding the Syria-Israel peace talks, Gül said: "Syria, justifiably, put indirect talks on hold during the Gaza attacks, and the [new] Israeli government has just been established." The president added that it was yet to be seen whether the Israeli leaders would continue with the rhetoric they adopted before the elections or act with the responsibility a government bears.
"Some believe that the European Union is the alternative to the Middle East. This cannot be the case," said Gül. "Turkey tries to maximize [its] relations with the Middle East while developing its relationship with the EU." The president added that the relationship between Turkey and Syria should set an example for other countries.
Turkey gives great importance to the establishment of stability in the region and has been working towards it, Gül said, adding that such attempts have helped create trust toward his country in the Middle East.
Responding to a question regarding the Syria-Israel peace talks, Gül said: "Syria, justifiably, put indirect talks on hold during the Gaza attacks, and the [new] Israeli government has just been established." The president added that it was yet to be seen whether the Israeli leaders would continue with the rhetoric they adopted before the elections or act with the responsibility a government bears.
"Some believe that the European Union is the alternative to the Middle East. This cannot be the case," said Gül. "Turkey tries to maximize [its] relations with the Middle East while developing its relationship with the EU." The president added that the relationship between Turkey and Syria should set an example for other countries.