Erdogan: “Israel cannot do whatever it wants in the Mediterranean”

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (15.09.11), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said: “Israel cannot do whatever it wants in the eastern Mediterranean. It will see our determination. Our frigates, our assault boats will be there.”

On the third day of his historic visit to northern Africa, Prime Minister Erdogan met Tunisia’s transitional government’s Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi.

“Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state of law. As for secularism, a secular state has an equal distance to all religious groups including Muslim, Christian, Jewish and atheist people,” he said.

Asked about recent developments in the Middle East, Prime Minister Erdogan said: “Turkey’s attitude is clear. We extend full support to Palestinian people. As we said on all kinds of international occasions, we are not going to remain silent against Israel’s atrocity.”

Referring to the Israeli deadly attack on Gaza-bound aid flotilla last year, Erdogan said: “It is impossible to normalize Turkey-Israel relations unless Israel apologizes to us, pays compensation to relatives of the victims and lifts embargoes on Gaza. Earlier, we announced a five-step plan. We have downgraded our relations to the level of second secretary and frozen all deals in defence industry. We are going to defend the rights of the nine people who were killed in the Israeli attack”.

Erdogan said that they would assure protection of Turkish vessels bound for Gaza or somewhere else in the international waters. “Israel cannot do whatever it wants in the eastern Mediterranean. It will see our determination. Our frigates, our assault boats will be there,” he added.

Moreover, Erdogan said that they aimed at improving their relations with Tunisia in all areas including defence industry. “We also need to improve our commercial and economic relations. We are going to encourage our businessmen to invest in Tunisia. We have to start marine transportation between Turkey and Tunisia. And we have to cooperate in tourism. I believe that Tunisia will emerge as a powerful country following the election in October,” he concluded.

Prior to the news conference, a friendship and cooperation agreement was signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Tunisian counterpart Mouldi Kefi.