Israeli President Isaac Herzog will pay an official visit to Turkey in February, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday, hailing the trip as an opportunity to mend frayed relations between the regional powers.
"This visit could open a new chapter in relations between Turkey and Israel," Erdoğan said in an interview with Turkey's NTV channel, adding that he was "ready to take steps in Israel's direction in all areas, including natural gas."
Ties between Turkey and Israel froze over after the death of 10 civilians in an Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid for the Gaza Strip in 2010.
In recent months, however, the two countries have been working on a rapprochement, with Erdoğan, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, holding telephone talks with Herzog and other Israeli leaders. Erdoğan also recently announced that Herzog may visit Turkey soon.
Erdoğan said last week he was prepared to work with Israel on reviving an old project to ship Mediterranean gas to European clients via Turkey.
His remarks came after the United States reportedly dropped support for a rival pipeline project involving Israel and Turkey's historic rival Greece.
Turkey had strongly opposed the project, which was supported by the former administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Turkey’s view is that any project that aims to sideline the rights of Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) in the Eastern Mediterranean will be unsuccessful.
Despite the recent rapprochement, Turkish officials continue to criticize Israel’s policies targeting Palestinians, including the illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Known for its unbreakable solidarity with the Palestinians, Turkey has been voicing support for the Palestinian cause in the international realm for decades. Turkish authorities emphasize that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East is through a fair and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue within the framework of international law and United Nations resolutions.
Also drawing attention to the "good momentum in relations with the Gulf countries," Erdoğan said that Turkey's "principled and well-intentioned attitude towards the Gulf region" is being better understood.
He emphasized Turkey's "strong cultural, economic ties" with the region, adding that Ankara prioritizes dialogue and consensus.
"We will make the best of this serious cooperation potential," he added.
Touching on his upcoming visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February, Erdoğan said: "Feb. 14 is an important date for us. Hopefully, our visit to the UAE on this date will be the beginning of a new era."
Turkey is making an effort to mend its frayed ties through intensified diplomacy with regional powers, including Egypt and Saudi Arabia, after years of tensions. Erdoğan earlier reiterated that Turkey hopes to maximize cooperation with Egypt and Gulf nations "on a win-win basis."
