ISTANBUL, (PIC)-- A Turkish newspaper said on Wednesday that Ankara will stop military cooperation with Israel and will not return its ambassador, who was recalled after the Freedom Flotilla massacre.
The Turkish newspaper "Star" said that the decision was made in an Ankara government meeting this week quoting unnamed sources.
Aide to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan refused to comment on the decision.
The newspaper said that the Turkish government decided not to send its ambassador back to Israel unless it sends its own representative for an investigation carried out by the United Nations into the incident.
The newspaper quoted Turkish sources as saying, "We have made several decisions, including military and diplomatic [decisions], and [decisions for] political pressure and measures." It reported that the government has also decided to freeze military agreements, including upgrades on planes, tanks, and special rocket projects estimated at a cost of up to 7.5 billion dollars.
It also stated that military cooperation, including joint exercises and training of pilots, will be suspended as well as the exchange of intelligence information. It confirmed that sanctions against Israel would be taken gradually.
The Turkish government had announced that it is working on a plan for future ties with Israel after its May 31 attack which resulted in the death of nine Turkish sympathizers and the injury of others.
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