Rasmussen rejects lowering NATO ties with Israel over Gaza conflict
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Berlin, Jun 7, IRNA -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen rejected Turkish calls to downgrade ties between the Zionist regime and the western military alliance over Israel's recent deadly attack on a Gaza aid convoy.
Addressing a press briefing in Brussels, Rasmussen said, "I think it's fair to say, based on experience, it will definitely not facilitate the peace process in the Middle East, if the reaction of the international community is to reduce the number of consultations, to limit dialogue."
"I think, quite to the contrary, what we need is to engage the parties in this tragic conflict much more in consultations and dialogue.
Once again, I strongly regret this tragic event and I call on the involved parties to ensure a credible and impartial investigation of what happened," he added.
NATO joined international calls for "a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation" of Israel's attack on the Gaza-bound international aid flotilla.
Rasmussens was quoted saying in a statement that he condemned the acts "which have led to this tragedy" and offered condolence to families of the victims killed in the incident.
"I add my voice to the calls by the United Nations and the European Union for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation into the incident," Rasmussen added.
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