05/04/2013 19:17
Turkologist: Tel-Aviv’s apology to Turkey is tactical move
Israeli Premier Netanyahu’s apology to Turkey is conditioned by the current military-political situation in the region, and the U.S. played a considerable role here. The apology to Turkey was a tactical move aimed at increasing Israel’s role and involvement in the Middle East.
Turkologist Levon Hovsepian expressed this opinion during a talk with the correspondent of Aysor.am. In his words, the upcoming visit of Secretary of State John Kerry to the region and his meetings with leaders of Israel and Turkey, as well as a meeting to be held between Obama and Erdogan a bit later, will cast light on Turkish-Israeli relations.
Prior to that, Turkish-Israeli relations will not improve outwardly, but secret negotiations and contacts over strategic goals will continue.
The Turkologist said that secret negotiations are now being conducted among the United States, Turkey and Israel concerning Syria, Iran, and Iraq. The U.S. aims to ensure contacts between Turkey and Israel over strategic issues. There is a need to determine the possible roles and potential of Israel and Turkey in connection with the Syrian problem.
It is not ruled out that in case of military operations against Syria, the Israeli air forces will assume a serious role and Turkey’s territory will be used. As regards Iraq and the Kurdish region in its north, here Turkey depends on the support of American and Israeli intelligence services.
Cooperation with Israel in this region or at least Israel’s inactivity is important to Turkey. Turkey still feels the effect of the deterioration of its relationship with Israel so it is not ruled out that some processes advantageous to both sides will be launched.