Erdogan’s statements prior leaving for South Africa; blames Greek Cypriots for sabotaging the negotiations process

Ankara Anatolia news agency reports from Istanbul (03.10.11) that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said NATO would provide instant intelligence to Turkey in the fight against PKK. Erdogan’s comments came after a journalist reminded him about NATO General Secretary’s remarks on the fight against PKK prior to his departure from Istanbul’s Ataturk International Airport for South Africa.

“You have read Rasmussen’s statements today. You have seen NATO’s agreement with us on the Mediterranean. Our works continue in the Mediterranean. As a NATO member, Turkey did not expect any other NATO stance,” Erdogan said, adding “The process here involves a problem between Turkey and Israel as well as between Turkey and Greek Cypriot administration. Greek Cypriot administration’s exploration attempts are causing the sabotage in the negotiations process. Their preference of Israel is another sabotage of the negotiations.”

When reminded by a journalist about the remarks of U.S. Secretary of Defense that Israel was rapidly becoming isolated in the region and that Israel should improve relations with Turkey, Erdogan said that those remarks were true.

Erdogan also said that Turkey placed special importance to relations with South Africa as “the most developed economy and democracy of the continent.” Erdogan noted that he was set to visit the country on an invitation extended by South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, adding that a large delegation of Turkish bureaucrats and businesspeople would accompany him on his visit which he said would last through next Thursday.

“We will pen some very important agreements with South Africa that would strengthen the foundations of our relations,” Erdogan said and added that Turkey’s exports to South Africa had seen a remarkable improvement over the past few years, reaching one billion USD in the first seven months of 2011, adding in 2010 the figure was 1.2 billion USD. The Turkish premier also said that Turkish investments in South Africa had reached 400 million USD.