On Turkish relations with Israel, the Arabs
Turkey-Regional-International, Politics, 4/12/2000

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem has stressed that his country's relations with Israel will not be at the expense of the Arab states in general and Syria in particular.

In a statement to the Saudi daily Okaz published on Tuesday said, "Military cooperation with Israel does not mean that we have a strategic alliance with Israel against the Arabs, rather an agreement and cooperation in the defense area, a kind of defense training. It is similar to agreements that exist between us and some 300 countries, ten of which are members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference."

The Turkish minister said that although his country seeks to improve its relations with the Arabs, does not mean to give up the good relations which link Turkey to Israel.

He added, "We do not want give up our understanding with the Arab states in order to improve our relations with Israel and this inclination has helped a lot to the extent I find no problems impeding our relations with the Arab and Islamic states."

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