TURKEY: Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, says problems are being substantially overcome in talks with Israel

Record ID: 398561

  • Title: TURKEY: Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, says problems are being substantially overcome in talks with Israel
  • Date: 8th May 2014
  • Summary: ANKARA, TURKEY (MAY 8, 2014) (REUTERS) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU AND TANZANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER BERNARD MEMBE HOLDING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTER AHMET DAVUTOGLU SAYING: "During the talks on this issue, which came through an initiative of Mr. Obama, the apology, with very clear remarks, was issued last year. Until then th
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Turkey
  • Country: Turkey
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA83LUH2UMDFDIHBOBRSLAAQG5W
  • Story Text: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday (May 8) talks with Israel had reached a certain level and problems are being "substantially overcome", referring to Mavi Marmara, a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza in which nine Turks were killed in 2010 after it was stormed by Israeli marines.
    Davutoglu made his comments on the sidelines of a joint news conference in Ankara with Tanzanian Foreign Minister Bernard Membe.

    "During the talks on this issue, which came through an initiative of Mr. Obama, the apology, with very clear remarks, was issued last year," the Turkish FM said, referring to an Israeli apology on the incident last year.
    The two governments are currently negotiating compensation for the affected families.

    "Until then the discussions about the compensation issue were going on and and we can say they reached a certain level, but of course until the discussions reach a final outcome, we do not have a solid remark. Because of this, when we reach a certain point about the compensation and the limitations being applied to Gaza and Palestine, we will share them with public. But as our prime minister and deputy prime minister have mentioned, we can say the problems are being substantially overcome," he added.
    Relations between the Jewish state and what was once its only Muslim ally, crumbled after Israeli marines stormed the Mavi Marmara aid ship in May 2010 to enforce a naval blockade of the Palestinian-run Gaza Strip and killed nine Turks in clashes with activists on board.
    The rift has continued despite U.S. efforts to encourage a rapprochement between the two regional powers whose cooperation it needs to address changes sweeping the Middle East.
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