BICOM

Turkish economy minister Zafer Caglyan said yesterday that Turkey’s economic ties with Israel are not currently planned to change, despite the diplomatic dispute between Ankara and Jerusalem. Following the release on Friday of the UN Palmer Report into the Mavi Marmara incident, Turkey announced a suspension of all military agreements and the expulsion of Israel’s top diplomatic staff. Nevertheless, speaking to journalists in Ankara after the government’s weekly economic policy meeting, Caglyan said: ‘Nothing can be more important than an attack against innocent people–but for now, there is no change in economic relations.’ The economy minister added that Turkey, which has a gaping current account deficit, has a $250 million trade surplus with Israel, indicating the importance to Ankara of strong economic ties, despite the countries’ deteriorating diplomatic relationship.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday Ankara would impose ‘sanctions’ against Israel for failing to apologise for the killing of nine Turkish citizens when Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara last year. Israel’s Prime Minister on Sunday expressed Israel’s regret for the loss of lives and said he hoped to mend ties with Turkey, his first public remarks since Ankara announced the lowering of diplomatic relations. Israel, however, ha refused to apologise to Turkey for the raid.