Turkey says ties with Germany won't 'deteriorate entirely'

Turkish protesters connected with Turkey's opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), hold a big Turkish flag, during a rally outside the German consulate in Istanbul, Thursday, June 2, 2016. The protesters rallied against the decision made by the German parliament earlier Thursday that overwhelmingly voted to label the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago as genocide, prompting Turkey to recall its ambassador to Germany. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, left, stands with Chief of Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar at the headquarters of Turkish army in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, June 2, 2016. Yildirim says Turkey is recalling its ambassador to Germany for consultations after what he calls a "historic error" by the German parliament to recognize the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago as genocide. (Prime Ministry Press Service/Pool via AP) (The Associated Press)

Turkey's prime minister says Ankara intends to take further measures in response to the German Parliament's decision to label as genocide the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago. But he says no one should expect ties to "deteriorate entirely."

Binali Yildirim said Friday that Germany had made a "historic" error, which it should rectify.

Turkey recalled its ambassador in Berlin for consultations after Thursday's vote. Yildirim didn't specify what else it might do.

Historians estimate that up to 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks around the time of World War I, an event viewed by many scholars as the first genocide of the 20th century.

Turkey disputes the description. It says the toll has been inflated and considers those killed victims of a civil war.