Erdoğan, UK PM May discuss Jerusalem over phone

ANKARA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May spoke on the phone late on Dec. 18, according to presidential sources.

The two leaders reportedly shared concerns over tension after the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, emphasizing that the two-state solution was “the most rational path forward for the peace process.”

They also spoke about U.S. veto of the U.N. Security Council resolution that rejected the establishment of diplomatic facilities in Jerusalem, saying new tensions that could put the peace process in the region at risk need to be avoided, emphasizing the role of the international community.

Erdoğan and May also discussed the state of bilateral relations, hailing strong ties between Ankara and London, especially in the defense industry.

The U.S. on Dec. 18 vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that rejects the establishment of diplomatic facilities in the contested city of Jerusalem, breaking with the rest of the council.

The move comes less than two weeks after Washington moved to recognize the holy city as Israel’s capital and begin the process to move its embassy there from Tel Aviv - the city where all other nations house their main diplomatic facilities.

Fourteen council members voted in favor of the Egyptian-sponsored resolution that would have demanded U.S. President Donald Trump reverse course on the decision. The U.S. was the sole dissenting vote.

The United Kingdom, a fellow permanent member, voted in favor of the council’s resolution, its envoy said, because it fell in line with London’s long-standing position on Jerusalem’s status.

“Our view is that the issue of Jerusalem is a final status issue, that Jerusalem should be a shared capitol for Israelis and for Palestinians, and the U.K. Embassy, for now, will remain in Tel Aviv,” Matthew Rycroft told reporters before the vote.