Turkish foreign minister on Turkish-Israeli relations

ANKARA (A.A) - 01.06.2011 - Turkey's foreign minister said on Wednesday that nobody should expect Turkish-Israeli relations to become normal unless Israel apologizes and pays compensation.
Appearing at a private tv channel TGRT, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu commented on Israel's Mavi Marmara attack and the second aid flotilla getting ready to set sail by the end of June to carry relief equipment to Gaza.
We wish Israel would not repeat such an act in the international waters and would not make provocative statements, Davutoglu said, noting that Israel thought itself superior to international law, which threatened both the regional security and its own security.
Davutoglu said it seemed Israel was granted such a right, "otherwise, Israel would not dare to make such an act in international waters," he said.
"East Mediterranean is not a sea belonging to Israel. It should be known by everybody. If an understanding that 'I can stop every ship in East Mediterranean and intervene in every ship I want' exists, it is not different from the piracy off the shores of Somalia," he said.
Davutoglu said a Palestine compromise was reached, and added that, "Rafah Border Passing is open from now on. Civilian society should also take this into consideration."
Davutoglu said blockade should definitely be removed to enable assistance to reach Gaza, "everybody should see that stance of the Turkish state is clear," he noted.
Commenting on Turkey's position in the region, Davutoglu said, "Turkey pursues a very transparent and principled foreign policy."