Turkey and Israel have reached a “turning point” in their relationship and will pursue greater trade and energy co-operation in the interest of regional peace, president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after the first visit by an Israeli head of state in more than a decade.
The Mediterranean neighbours can “work together to help stability in the region,” Israeli president Isaac Herzog said in joint remarks the leaders delivered after talks in Ankara.
Ties between the once-close allies have been volatile for years, largely because of Erdogan’s criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. The thaw with Israel is part of a broader effort by the Erdogan to repair Turkey’s relations across the region after alienating Israel, Arab states, Greece and others. Easing Turkey’s diplomatic isolation could boost its crisis-hit economy as Erdogan faces re-election next year.