Erdogan calls on new Israeli government to recognize PalestineFebruary 25, 2009 - 18:19 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tehran has sought Ankara's help in finding a solution for its diplomatic crisis with the United States. Erdogan said that Iran requested Turkey's help while George W. Bush was still in office, and the message was relayed to Washington at that time. He added that he is considering whether to broach the matter with President Barack Obama, who has said he hopes to hold talks with Iran at the G20 summit, scheduled to be held in London this April. Responding to a question on Turkey's future role in any Washington-Tehran talks, Erdogan said, "Iran does want Turkey to play such a role. And if the United States also wants and asks us to play this role, we are ready to do this." In the interview Erdogan also called on Prime Minister designate Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize the Palestinian people's right to their own state. He compared Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist to the Likud's rejection of the two-state solution, adding that any eventual Israeli-Palestinian process would have to include Hamas. "We are always telling Hamas to act differently, that we are for a two-state solution: Palestine and Israel. They have to accept this, but Israel also has to accept Palestine. Is Israel right now accepting Palestine? They are still not accepting them. But it is being expected of the Palestinian people to accept Israel. Now go and ask Mr. Netanyahu if he is accepting Palestine." Once again slamming the IDF's recent offensive against Hamas in Gaza, Erdogan went on to call the Islamist group the party of "change and reform," Ynet reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia says ready to extend nuclear plant’s lifetime by 10 years Armenia has taken necessary measures to extend the lifetime of its nuclear power plant until 2036. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. |