“According to my plan, most probably I would be visiting Gaza in June,” Erdogan said during a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama in Washington on Thursday.
“But it will not be a visit only to Gaza. I will also go to the West Bank,” the Turkish premier added.
Erdogan further said he places a lot of significance on this visit in terms of peace in the Middle East, expressing hope that the trip would contribute to unity in Palestine.
The United States had earlier called on the Turkish prime minister to put off any visit to Gaza, describing such a trip as a “distraction” from efforts to revive the peace process in the region.
During his trip to Turkey last month, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Erdogan’s visit to Gaza would be “better delayed” and urged him to wait for the “right circumstances.”
However, Erdogan stated, “We wish he [Kerry] had not said that.” Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc also said that it was up to Ankara to decide what to do.
The Turkish premier has said his visit would be aimed at pushing for an end to the siege imposed by the Israeli regime on Gaza.
MKA/HSN
Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/17/303930/erdogan-will-visit-gaza-west-bank/
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