Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.13 /Trend, A.Akhundov/
Head of the St. Petersburg Center for the Study of the Modern Middle East Gumer Isayev believes Turkey has already determined its global Middle East strategy, and this strategy will objectively contradict Israel's position.
"Turkey's real steps, that are, its initiative in the Middle East, political and diplomatic involvement in the Middle East settlement and improving relations with Arab countries show that Turkey has a serious trend to regain its former influence and importance in this region," Isayev told Trend over the telephone. "And of course it will contradict Israel's position," he said.
Tensions between the two countries have risen sharply after the May 31 Israeli raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin.
However, Isayev said, Turkey is efficient and experienced diplomat, so it does not interested in spoiling relations with Israel and bringing them to the Cold-War-like conditions.
In early December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to thank him for sending two fire fighting planes early Friday to put out the forest fire in Israel. Then Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu met with the top Israeli official in Geneva.