'Turkey expects Israel to correct its mistakes'

Turkey expects Israel to correct its mistakes towards Ankara, only then one can talk about normalization of relations between the two countries, the Hurriyet newspaper quotes Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as telling journalists on Wednesday.

"Turkey does not avoid the normalization of relations with Israel. However, Israel should realize its mistakes and take steps to correct them," Davutoglu said.

He said Israel expresses desire to restore good relations with Turkey not only through media outlets, but also through foreign ministers of some states.

Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry reported that Israel is ready to negotiate with Turkey to normalize relations without any preconditions.

Relations between Turkey and Israel, which were two strategic and military partners before, worsened after Israeli naval attacks on the "Flotilla of Freedom" carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on May 31, 2010. Nine Turks fell victim to a confrontation between Israeli soldiers and international human rights activists on the Turkish ship.

Ankara later demanded that Israel issue an official apology, order an independent international investigation, and pay compensation, however, Tel Aviv has refused.


/Trend/