Davutoglu calls on Israel to extend seetlement freeze

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Monday joined world leaders in criticizing Israel's refusal to extend its construction moratorium on the West Bank even after Palestinians threatened to quit the Mideast peace talks. Davutoglu also encouraged the Palestinian side to continue talks with Israel towards "a vision of peace." "The continuation of direct talks between Palestine and Israel is extremely important for Turkey. However, everybody should display the good intentions and political will for these talks to continue," Davutoglu told reporters in New York, where he attended the UN General Assembly last week, when asked about Israel's decision to end the 10-month moratorium. Saying that settlement is taking place on territories occupied by Israel, he stressed that Israel's decision is not a sign of good intentions. Still, Turkey expects an extension of the moratorium, he said, calling the continuation of settlement activity a contradiction while peace talks go on. "Turkey wants Israel to stop the Jewish settlements and extend the moratorium," he added. "We also want the Palestinian side to continue talks towards a vision of a peace."