Turkey tells Israel to step up efforts to restore diplomatic ties

Turkish FM says only 1 of 3 conditions, for Israel to apologize for deaths on Mavi Marmara, has been met.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu 390 (R) (photo credit: REUTERS/Osman Orsal )
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu 390 (R)
(photo credit: REUTERS/Osman Orsal )
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Thursday that Israel still has work to do to restore ties between the two countries.
According to Davutoglu, Israel fulfilled the first of three conditions to restore ties by apologizing to Turkey for the loss of life in the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident.
There are two other conditions that have yet to be met, he said.
One is the summation of negotiations over the amount of money to be paid as compensation for the death of nine Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound protest ship. Davutoglu did say that negotiations were moving forward.
The third condition is that Israel end restrictions “against Palestine,” mainly ending the blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Turkish foreign minister also offered the help of Turkey to ensure that Iran is prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, while allowing it to produce nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.