Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Friday that Turkey's criticism of Israel did not mean end of relations with this country, Anadolu Agency reported.
Davutoglu who delivered a speech titled "New Global Geopolitics" at the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London, said Turkey had different views and disagreements with Israel over certain issues noting however this was not the fundamental dynamic of the Turkish-Israeli relations.
He said Turkey's criticism of Israel targeted the offensive on Gaza and had nothing to do with anti-semitism, adding that not a single example of anti-semitism could be found in Turkish history.
"Turkey has been a safe haven for Jews for centuries and will continue to be so. Criticising a policy of the Israeli government does not mean the end of Turkish-Israeli relations. Our relations will continue, so will our our criticism," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu emphasized that security of a child in Gaza was as important for Turkey as the security of a child in Tel Aviv, noting that Turkey wanted its surrounding to be secure.
He said Turkey's new motto in its foreign policy was "zero problems with neighbours", pointing out that with such perspective Turkey mediated indirect talks between Israel and Syria in 2008.
"If there had been peace between Israel and Syria back then, the atmosphere in the region would have been completely different. But that did not happen. Who is responsible for that? Is it possible to start it all over? Yes, Why not?" said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu said should both parties agree, Turkey was ready for the call, noting that Syria wanted to resume talks but Israel disagreed.
"Some of the coalition members (Israeli) are against it while others support it. If we see a strong political will in both Israel and Syria we will continue to extend support. We will support every step, every initiative towards peace," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu said, Turkey would do everything within its reach, in order to meet the new challenges in the geopolitical arena and contribute to the global peace.
Commenting on the ongoing normalisation process in Turkey's relations with Armenia, Davutoglu said the Armenian Constitutional Court's reasoned verdict on the protocols with Turkey was unacceptable.
He said Turkey wanted to establish perfect relations with Armenia, just like the relations with Greece, noting that Turks and Armenians should get along just fine, wherever in the world.
"Are we going to dwell in the past, or live the future ahead of us?" asked Davutoglu.
He said Turkey wished for high level political dialogue and normalisation in the entire Caucasus.
Davutoglu later proceeded from London to Strasbourg to meet the newly elected president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Mevlut Cavusoglu.
