Israel’s president meets Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey, the first visit by an Israeli head of state since 2007, as the countries seek to mend fractured ties.
Herzog and Erdogan both said that the Turkish foreign minister will visit Israel in April.
Herzog also said that “Israel-Turkey relations are important for the whole region,” stressing the need for “maintaining stability and partnership” at a time when “the international order is being shaken.”
Israeli officials have said that Herzog and Erdogan may discuss prospects of exporting Israeli gas to Europe through Turkey, a notion raised by Erdogan in January, amid fears of impaired supply following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Herzog also will meet with members of the Jewish community in Istanbul, before returning to Israel on Thursday.
The two leaders also discussed Israel’s ties with Greece and Cyprus, which is a matter of concern for Turkey, the official says.
They discussed Hamas, which received backing from Turkey — a matter of concern raised by Israel in the past.
The possibility of returning ambassadors to each other’s capitals will be discussed by foreign ministers when Turkey’s Mevlut Cavusoglu visits Israel in the coming weeks.
President Herzog announces that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Israel in the coming weeks, the first such visit in roughly 15 years.
“I am pleased to welcome President Herzog to the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Welcome to Turkey. I believe that this historic visit will be a turning point in relations between Turkey and Israel. Strengthening relations with the State of Israel has great value for our country,” Erdogan says.
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Erdogan says expanding the dialogue between the countries will help lead to solutions to issues of controversy. He notes that trade has flourished in recent years, despite the lag in ties.
Erdogan emphasizes energy and trade collaborations and discusses the recent visit of a delegation of Turkish leaders in Israel.
The Turkish leader says the two discussed the Palestinian issue during their closed-door meeting. “It is important to reduce tensions in the region and preserve chances for a two-state solution,” Erdogan says.
Erdogan closes by condemning antisemitism, Islamophobia and all forms of racism. “Antisemitism is a crime against humanity,” he says.
