Erdogan flies to UAE for energy summit

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday left for the United Arab Emirates to attend a three-day Third World Future Energy Summit starting today. Speaking to reporters before leaving, Erdogan reiterated his government's determination to improve Turkey's relations with countries around the world. "Turkey is continuing its efforts to forge strong ties with countries in the east, west, north and the south of the world," he said. "Turkey is moving in all directions. In line with this, we also want to maintain good, high-level relations based on mutual interests with all regional countries: We're determined to make this happen." Stating that during his visit he would hold talks with top UAE officials, including Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed al-Nahyan, to discuss current bilateral ties as well as explore ways to improve them, Erdogan said that he would then proceed to Saudi Arabia and meet with King Abdullah and the kingdom's crown prince. Touching on Turkey's recent diplomatic row with Israel, Erdogan said Ankara isn't considering take any new steps on this issue, referring to statements from high-level Israeli officials, including President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barack, criticizing Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon for his attempt to humiliate Turkish Ambassador to Tel Aviv Oguz Celikkol. After Turkey threatened to withdraw its ambassador if Israel didn't officially apologized, Ayalon sent Celikkol an official letter of apology last week. "Turkey will never allow itself to be played with," Erdogan said. Erdogan also expressed his condolences to the Haitian nation and government for their losses in last week's earthquake, adding that the government had sent 10 tons of medical aid to the quake-hit country, as well as provided $1 million in financial aid.