MAVI MARMARA FAMILIES TO MEET MINISTERS

Ankara, 22 Jumadil Awal 1434/2 April 2013 (MINA) – Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said an Israeli delegation would arrive in Turkey on April 11 for talks about the compensations Israel would pay. He said he and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would meet with the victims’ families in Ankara on Wednesday.  

 Israel agreed to pay compensation for the victims of Mavi Marmara raid by the Israeli armed forces in the international waters of Mediterranean in 2010, according to Anadolu Agency reports monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

Speaking at a TV program Arinc said on compensations Israel would pay, international law must be taken into account as well as Turkey’s domestic law. He said compensation would include both monetary and nonpecuniary damages for the victims’ families as well as the injured ones. 

“Israeli side would like to pay the compensations immediately and we would like to solve issue as soon as possible” noted Arinc. He said Turkey had not voiced any amount yet, but set the framework. 

On a question whether the talks would congested at some point, Arinc stated it was not an easy issue, Israel apologized for the very first time in its history and would like to pay the compensations. “When a state pays compensation to another state, ongoing lawsuits should end by individual plaintiffs’ withdrawal” added Arinc.  

He said, Turkey would interfere in the issue politically on lifting the embargo on Gaza, adding that some steps were taken but Turkey would continue to follow that issue.  

Arinc said Israel’s apology to Turkey over deadly Mavi Marmara raid is a magnificent success of Turkish foreign policy. He said the apology for sure means that Israel accepts and admits its unjust act.(T/P08/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)