Tehran: Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has reiterated that Tel Aviv must formally apologize for its attack on a Gaza-bound Turkish aid flotilla last year. Davutoglu made the remarks during a joint press conference with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi late on Sunday in Tehran.When asked if Turkey is trying to normalize relations with Israel, the Turkish top diplomat said that Israel has to apologize for the crime it committed and must compensate the victims of the attack.
He went on to say that Israel must accept the fact that it is responsible for its actions like any other country, noting that the international community blames Israel for the flotilla carnage.
The Israeli military attacked the Freedom Flotilla in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea on May 31, killing nine Turkish citizens on board the Turkish-flagged M.V. Mavi Marmara and injuring about 50 other people who were part of the team on the six-ship convoy.
Davutoglu is in Tehran as part of his tour of the Middle East, which has already taken him to Egypt, Libya, and Saudi Arabia.
The Turkish foreign minister is also scheduled to travel to Syria and Jordan during his regional tour.
