We observe that there are various unfounded allegations both in the media and in some quarters, regarding Turkey’s relations with Israel in a period that Turkey engages in intensive efforts to stop Israel’s attacks against Gaza without delay and to establish a lasting ceasefire. In this context, some speculative allegations are being raised, asserting that Turkey cooperates with Israel in the fields of defense industry and energy.

Turkey downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel to the minimum level and suspended all military ties between the two countries following the attack carried out by Israel in the international waters against a humanitarian aid convoy by the non-governmental organizations to Gaza on 31 May 2010, in which ten Turkish civilians had lost their lives. No official agreement has been concluded in these fields, including defense industry, between Turkey and Israel during the said period.

There has either not been any cooperation between Turkey and Israel in the field of energy. H.E. Mr. Taner Yıldız, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources responded the claims in his statement related to the issue yesterday.

Considering that our relevant Ministers and our Ministry had made clarifying explanations to the public on these matters in the past, it is unlikely to regard the reviving of such groundless and speculative claims as well intentioned, in a period when Turkey intensified its efforts towards ending the attacks on Gaza and establishing a lasting ceasefire.