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, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday in Ankara, Anadolu news agency reported.
"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. We still demand an apology and compensation," 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 early Friday to put out the forest fire in Israel.
"Mr. Netanyahu phoned me to thank. He also expressed hope for a warm climate in future relations after Turkey's efforts to help fight the fire in Israel," he said.
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.