’Hamas needed for peace in Mideast’

Hurriyet Daily News with wires

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Erdoğan yesterday hosted Mitchell, who came to Turkey as part of a regional tour that also included Israel, Abu Dhabi and Egypt. He was appointed last month to the post of U.S. Middle East envoy, responsible for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Mitchell’s visit to the region is considered a strong indication of the new U.S President Barack Obama’s determination to press a resolution of the decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. 

Positive developments

Erdoğan told Mitchell in the meeting that Hamas should not be excluded from the peace process and should be integrated into the political system. Turkey has recommended the Hamas administration contribute to the peace process and that there were some positive developments in this respect, Erdoğan said, after Hamas came to power.

Erdoğan said they also suggested Hamas recognize the agreements formerly signed by the two sides, a precondition for the Israeli government to initiate peace talks with Hamas.

The meeting also revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton plans to visit Turkey in March.

Mitchell said Turkey will play a "key role" in President Obama's efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East thanks to Ankara’s close ties with Israel and Arab countries, speaking to reporters after meeting Erdoğan. He said Obama praised Turkey's efforts to make peace between its ally Israel and the Palestinians.

"Turkey is a crucial ally of the United States and an important force for peace and security in the Middle East," Mitchell said.

Noting that Obama appreciated Turkey's efforts for "a comprehensive peace and two-state solution," Mitchell said, "As an important democratic nation with strong relations with Israel, Turkey has a unique role and can have significant influence."

Turkey's ties with Israel, which include military cooperation, have been strained by Israel's 22-day military operation against Hamas in Gaza, which ended Jan. 18. Erdoğan walked out of a debate with Israeli President Shimon Peres at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 29 after the two clashed over the attack. Mitchell had postponed his visit to Turkey following the incident.