Berlin – Germany Urges Turkey to Accept Findings of UN Flotilla Report

    4

    Berlin – Germany on Saturday called on Turkey to accept the findings of a United Nations report which certified the legality of an Israeli raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla, which resulted in the death of eight Turkish citizens and one Turkish-American.

    Join our WhatsApp group

    Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


    On Friday, the UN released a report concluding that the May 2010 raid was legal, but urged Israel to show “regret” for using excessive force and compensate the families of the dead. In response, Turkey expelled the Israeli ambassador to Ankara.

    “We wanted a comprehensive, transparent and neutral investigation. This independent and transparent investigation took place. The results should be taken seriously even if a certain aspect is not liked by one or the other,” German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.

    Speaking in Sopot, Poland, after a meeting with EU counterparts in which Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmed Davutoglu also took part, Westerwelle said Germany was following the dispute “with great concern” and appealed “to all sides not to aggravate the situation.”

    “I do appreciate the work of the Turkish foreign minister very much, but I said that everything must be done to relieve tensions between Turkey and Israel. Turkey is playing a key role in the Middle East,” Westerwelle said.

    Davutoglu declined to speak to the foreign media in Sopot.

    French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe also weighed in on the dispute.

    “We wish that this conflict between Israel and Turkey is solved by dialogue, cooperation and not through other means,” he said.

    Earlier on Saturday, Turkish officials told the Hurriyet Daily News that the Turkish navy will significantly strengthen its presence in the eastern Mediterranean Sea as one of the steps the Turkish government has decided to take following the release of the UN Palmer report on the 2010 Gaza flotilla.

    As part of the plan, the Turkish navy will increase its patrols in the eastern Mediterranean and pursue “a more aggressive strategy”.
    According to the report, Turkish naval vessels will accompany civilian ships carrying aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

    Another goal of the plan is to ensure free navigation in the region between Cyprus and Israel. The region includes areas where Israel and Cyprus cooperate in drilling for oil and gas.


    Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

    iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

    Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


    Connect with VINnews

    Join our WhatsApp group


    4 Comments
    Most Voted
    Newest Oldest
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Reb Yid
    Reb Yid
    12 years ago

    That last sentence indicates another brilliant move by the Turkish leader, putting him on a collision course with Greece, in addition to picking a fight with Israel, the UN, and the rest of the world.

    kollelfaker
    kollelfaker
    12 years ago

    it is now apparent that turkey put this entire situation up by refusing to accept responsible for what happened now they admit that they were to blame and state they will send a naval escort to protect them in the future israel has no other option then to sink turkey’s ships

    12 years ago

    I would like to support an independent Kurdish state. Let the Turks sweat a little.
    Anyone has any ideas how we can further the cause of Kurdistan ?
    Maybe we can organize a flotilla for the Kurdish people.