Davutoglu urges Israel to show its will for oeace acting more responsibly

Speaking at a joint press conference following meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Nasser Judeh, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said if Israel really favors peace in the Middle East, it should act in a more responsible manner and clearly show that it has such a desire for peace. "Israel has to act in a much more responsible manner, particularly on the issue of settlers, in other fields and finally on the developments in East Jerusalem. And if there really is a will for peace, time has come for Israel to display this clearly," Davutoglu said. Ankara has been closely following the efforts exerted by US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, Davutoglu noted, adding, however, that Israel's showing its will for peace is required in order to reach concrete results through these efforts. Pledging Turkey's continuing support to efforts for maintaining regional stability, Davutoglu stressed that upcoming few months would be particularly critical for the region due to presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in Palestine and parliamentary elections in neighboring Iraq. If expectations that have been raised in the region since US President Barack Obama's approach to the region are met, elections in the two the countries would be helpful for a regional conjuncture, Davutoglu said. Yet, unless Fatah and Hamas, Palestinian rival factions, can reach reconciliation, the absence of Palestinian unity would not only damage Palestinians, but also create negative impacts all over the region, he added. Jordanian Foreign Minister Judeh was also received by President Abudllah Gul at the Cankaya Presidential Palace, and submitted to Gul a written message from King Abdullah II of Jordan on the Middle East peace. In his message, King Abdullah said the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and the return of Palestinian refugees to their country are of great importance for the establishment of peace in the region, urging the rival Palestinian groups to come together immediately. He said Jordan places great importance on Turkey's efforts to secure peace in the Middle East, and will continue exerting coordinated endeavors with Turkey towards this end. He also invited President Gul to Jordan.