Celebrating 90 Years - Foreign Policy Association

Turkey’s Contributions to
Peace in the Middle East
106 | 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 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.
Another project we are working on is the
Peace Campus Initiative. This project is based on
the idea of establishing a university hospital at
a health and education campus of international
stature adjacent to the West Bank.
I am hopeful that once they materialize,
the Industrial Zone and Peace Campus projects
will help build confidence between the Israeli
and Palestinian peoples. Turkey stands firmly
behind these two projects. When the projects
succeed, I believe, we will have a working model
of cooperation for the Israelis and Palestinians.
President Abdullah Gül delivered this address
at a Foreign Policy Association Corporate
Dinner in New York City.