Speaking on Turkey's emerging role in the Middle East at the SETA Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research in Ankara, Dr. Ben-Meir said that Ayalon's "aggressive" behaviour was unnecessary.
I sincerely support Turkey's "zero problem" foreign policy implemented in recent times. Such a policy is "highly important and meaningful", Dr. Ben-Meir noted.
Pointing out the importance of strategic relations between Turkey and Israel, Dr. Ben-Meir said that Turkey has to preserve good relations with all neighbors, including Israel, in order to maintain its leadership role in the region.
Touching on the most recent diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel, Dr. Ben-Meir said that such an aggressive diplomatic move by Israel was unnecessary.
In reference to the upcoming visit of Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak to Turkey, Dr. Ben-Meir said that he was hopeful about this visit.
I expect Barak's trip to Turkey to restore relations between the two countries, Dr. Ben-Meir said.
TURKEY COULD BE A GLOBAL POWER
If Turkey succeeds with its "zero problem" policy, this would make Turkey a global power, Dr. Ben-Meir stressed.
Such a status would contribute to Turkey's EU membership process, Dr. Ben-Meir said.
In conclusion of his speech, Dr. Ben-Meir touched on the Israeli-Palestinian problem and argued that the only way to a solution lied in the co-existence of "two states".
Dr. Ben-Meir is a professor of International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies at the Center for Global Affairs in New York University.
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