Europe’s rebuff of Turkey’s EU aspirations is pushing Turkey eastward, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told the reporters in London.

According to him, Turkey may turn eye on the East, as some EU members refuse to give Turkey the kind of organic link to the West Turkey sought, Voice of America reports.

Deterioration in Turkey-Israel relations is a matter of concern, Gates said. Ties between Ankara and Israel were tensed after Israeli commandos stormed a Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

U.S. and European countries should think what they might be able to do to make the stronger linkages with the West of interest and value to Turkish leaders, Gates said.