Ankara may boycott Greek energy summit

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Ankara won't take part in a Mediterranean environmental summit in Greece if Israeli officials plan to attend, the Turkish prime minister said.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to represent Turkey at a climate change forum on the Mediterranean scheduled Friday in Greece.

He told Greek television, however, that he wouldn't attend the meeting if Israel officials were present, Turkey's daily newspaper Hurriyet reports. Israeli officials aren't listed as participants or planned speakers as of Wednesday, however.

Bilateral ties between Israel and Turkey were damaged after Israeli forces boarded a Turkish-flagged vessel trying to break through a Gaza blockade May 31. Nine civilians were killed in the incident. Israeli personnel said they acted in self-defense.

The Greek government said the aim of the conference was to accelerate the regional response to climate change and usher in a low-carbon development model.

"The Greek government has launched this initiative in recognition of the serious threats climate change poses to the region's stability and prosperity, as well as the conviction that embracing a low carbon development model provides a unique opportunity to jointly address financial, energy and climate crises," a statement read.

Erdogan is expected to meet with Greek officials on the sidelines of the conference. Repairing ties between the two countries is a key step toward Ankara joining the European Union.