Turkish Foreign Ministry denies claims of energy and defense cooperation with Israel

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has vehemently denied claims that there is ongoing bilateral cooperation between Turkey and Israel in the fields of energy and defense.

“We observe that there are various unfounded allegations both in the media and in some quarters, regarding Turkey’s relations with Israel in a period that Turkey engages in intensive efforts to stop Israel’s attacks against Gaza without delay and to establish a lasting cease-fire. In this context, some speculative allegations are being raised, asserting that Turkey is cooperating with Israel in the fields of defense industry and energy,” a written statement released July 22 by the Foreign Ministry said.

“Turkey downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel to the minimum level and suspended all military ties between the two countries following the attack carried out by Israel in the international waters against a humanitarian aid convoy by nongovernmental organizations to Gaza on May 31, 2010, in which 10 Turkish civilians lost their lives. No official agreement has been concluded in these fields, including the defense industry, between Turkey and Israel during the said period,” it added.

“There has not been any cooperation between Turkey and Israel in the field of energy. Energy Minister Taner Yıldız responded to the claims in his statement related to the issue yesterday,” the statement also said.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has similarly dismissed claims that Turkey is selling jet fuel to Israel, saying the rumors are “plain lies and slander.”