Celebrating 90 Years - Foreign Policy Association

Turkey’s Contributions to
Peace in the Middle East
104 | FOREIGN POLICY ASSOCIATION
(Continued)
The Palestinian question continues to be
a core issue in the region. It is my conviction
that the ultimate resolution of this issue would
dramatically change the political and economic
climate in the Middle East and beyond. The
outlines of a just and lasting settlement are
known to all. During the past year, hopes for
a solution have been raised. The Annapolis
Conference, attended and actively supported by
Turkey, brought an end to the seven-year freeze
in peace talks. It gave fresh impetus to efforts for
a peaceful Middle East.
Certain cutbacks on the ground may have
diminished expectations for attaining the “end
of 2008” target. The new momentum, however,
must be maintained. The major task ahead
is to bridge the gap between the positions of
the parties. The efforts by many third parties,
especially by Egypt and the United States, are
commendable and worthy of support by all.
What is needed now is courage on the
part of the leadership of both sides and strong
international support. I recognize that both
sides will have to make difficult decisions and
painful concessions. This is the best opportunity
for years, however, to make peace, and it must
not be allowed to slip past. Therefore, I urge the
Israeli and Palestinian leaderships to redouble
their efforts toward a settlement.
Since international support for the peace
process remains essential, it goes without saying
that continuation of the United States’ active
engagement is imperative for the success of the
process.
I am well aware that peace is more than just
treaties. As central as a treaty may be, a political
solution can be viable only if it is complemented
by progress in the economic and social fields.
In this regard, state-building in Palestine and
improving the economic and social conditions
of the Palestinians are of utmost importance.
It is with this understanding that just after the
Annapolis Conference, Turkey pledged US$150
million at the Paris International Donors’
Conference, over a three-year period, for the
capacity-building of the Palestinian state.
Turkey continues to be one of the biggest
suppliers of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians
in both the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Moreover,
we led the efforts to establish the Ankara
Forum with the participation of the chambers
of commerce and industry from Turkey, Israel,
and the Palestinian Authority. The Ankara
Since international support for the
peace process remains essential, it
goes without saying that continua-
tion of the United States’ active en-
gagement is imperative for success.
Forum embarked on an industrial zone project
in Tarkumiyah, in the West Bank, last year. I
was honored to sign a joint declaration, stating
support for the Industrial Zone Initiative,
together with President Peres and President
Abbas on the occasion of their visit to Ankara
last November. The address by the two leaders to
a session of the Turkish Parliament was a historic
event for both our peoples and the world.