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Turkish MP: Improvement of relations between Ankara and Tel-Aviv depends only on Israel

Politics Materials 7 December 2010 19:11 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.7 /Trend, A.Akhundov/

Restoration of former relations between Ankara and Tel-Aviv depends only on Israel, Turkish MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party, Chair of the Parliamentarian Friendship Group between Lebanon and Turkey Abdurrahman Kurt told Trend on Tuesday.

"If Israel changes its policy, then it is possible to restore previous relations. We are just expecting them to do what they must to do after killing nine of our citizens. Under present conditions there cannot be any cooperation and friendship," said Kurt.

Tensions between the two countries have risen sharply after the May 31 Israeli raid of a Gaza-bound flotilla that killed eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin.

According to Kurt, the only way to improve relations between the two countries is confession by Israel of its fault. 

"Our requirements are clear and humanistic. We demand an apology and compensation. Israel must admit its guilt and mistake," said Kurt.

Earlier Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul also said that Turkey still expects an apology and compensation.

According to Erdogan, assistance provided by Turkey in extinguishing fires in Israel can help restore bilateral relations deteriorated after Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla on May 31, but it still does not solve the issue.

"We have earlier expressed that relations would not be as the same in the past unless these demands are met. Some of our demands have been met but some not," Erdogan told.

Erdogan's remarks came hours after a phone conversation between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who called and thanked Erdogan for sending two fire fighting planes to put out the forest fire in Israel.

According to Kurt, helping Israel, Turkey fulfilled its human duty.

"We do it for everyone without any ethnic, religious or other discriminating views," said Kurt.

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