Turkey and Spain hold the third intergovernmental summit

As part of yesterday’s third Intergovernmental Summit between Turkey and Spain, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Spanish counterpart Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapatero jointly held a press conference following a bilateral meeting. Speaking to reporters about Turkey’s sanctions decision to Israel, Erdogan said that they suggested that it pays compensation and lifts the embargo imposed on Gaza Strip, but Israel rejected and thus they took this step. Erdogan added that Israel had an irreconcilable stance and thus commercial relations with regard to defense industry were suspended. Speaking about the missile shield to be established in Turkey, Erdogan said that this process is related with NATO. “As we are a NATO member, it’s suggested that it’s established in Turkey as the most appropriate location. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and Foreign Ministry are working on its location. The shield wouldn’t pose a problem to Turkey,” said Erdogan. Speaking on his part about Turkey’s sanctions decision to Israel, Zapatero said that there was a political plan and people have lost their lives and thus the international society should have a response to it. He added that what’s important was to decrease tension and overcome this annoying process.