Israeli president visits Turkey to improve ties as gas interest grows

Agencies | Ankara

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

President Isaac Herzog visited Turkey yesterday on the first such trip by an Israeli leader since 2008 as the regional rivals seek to overcome years of animosity.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said they will review all aspects of Turkey-Israel ties in their talks.

Herzog told reporters at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport: “We will not agree on everything, and the relationship between Israel and Turkey has certainly known ups and downs and not-so-simple moments in recent years.”

“But we shall try to restart our relations and build them in a measured and cautious manner,” said Herzog, whose post is largely ceremonial.

One particular area of interest for Turkey and Israel is natural gas.

Erdogan has said the visit will herald a “new era” and that the two countries could work together to carry Israeli natural gas to Europe, reviving an idea first discussed more than 20 years ago.