Over the last week, Turkey and Israel signed an agreement in Rome to restore relationships after six years of cooled relations following an Israeli military assault on Mavi Marmara, an aid flotilla headed to Gaza in 2010 that led to the deaths of nine Turkish civilians in international waters. Speaking to Daily Sabah in her first interview following the agreement, Ms. Amira Oron, the chargé d'affaires at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, said that they have been working 24/7 to add momentum to the restoration period and added that after the exchanging of the ambassadors, the first ministerial level visit will take place to discuss economic ties. Underlining that Turkey and Israel share common concerns about the Syrian crisis, Oron added that intelligence-sharing between Turkey and Israel in the anti-DAESH struggle will begin soon.
Stressing that she has worked continuously to add momentum to the restoration period, Oron said that Turkey and Israel's foreign affairs ministries are currently working on a timeline and agenda for the future of their relations. "This agenda will include various projects that will serve in the best interest of two countries," adding that Israel's foreign ministry will give priority to economic dimension of the relations. "The reason for prioritizing the economic relations is obvious. Mutual cooperation in business world brings people together and enhances mutual confidence."
Oron said that she expects that ambassadors will be exchanged in the coming days "within the shortest time," and hinted that the first visit at a ministerial level from Israel to Turkey might take place before the end of this year. "We might see a high-level Israeli politician in a very short time, and possibly he or she might be a minister in the field of economy."
Regarding possible cooperation between Turkey and Israel regarding the Syrian crisis, Oron said that it's too early to talk about concrete steps towards this, but she stressed that Turkey and Israel share common concerns about the Syrian crisis. "Both of our countries neighbor Syria and the violence in this country."
Asked whether Israel would consider Hamas as a political actor, Oron said that considering Turkey's intermediary role between Israel and Hamas, Hamas could be a political actor when they stop violence and recognize Israel's right to exist.
Touching upon the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Oron acknowledged the necessity of improving humanitarian conditions in Gaza and underlined that Israel shares Turkey's perspective in this matter. "The arrival of the humanitarian aid ship Lady Leyla to the Ashdod port could be a god example for us to demonstrate the potential for cooperation in terms of the improvement of living conditions in Gaza."
