The President Yitzhak Herzog And his wife Michal landed today (Wednesday) in Turkey for a state visit of great importance, as part of the thaw in relations between the two countries. The visit, defined as “historic”, will last two days and was ordered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone conversation between the two.
They were greeted by the senior adviser and spokesman of Turkish President Ibrahim Kline. A reception was then held at the palace of the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan And with his participation, at the end of the ceremony Herzog was scheduled with the Turkish president.
Herzog visits Turkey (Photo: Haim Tzach / GPO)Before boarding the flight, the Israeli president said: “Together with Michal, I am going on a state visit to Turkey with the invitation of Turkish President Erdogan, with whom I have had a dialogue since taking office as President of Israel. Israel – Turkey relations are important to Israel. There will be a visit to Turkey. “
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“Certainly, when the world order is undermined, it is right and proper to maintain stability and partnership in our region, and I emphasized this in my visits to Greece and Cyprus in the last two weeks and in talks with leaders. “Relations and build them in a measured and careful way and with mutual respect between the countries,” Herzog stressed.
“I always emphasize that my vision is for Muslim and Christian Jews to live in peace in our region in a way that will bring them prosperity and a perfect life. My visit is fully coordinated with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and their offices and I hope my visit “Different and we will see in the end, so I hope, progress in the relationship and positive results. Thank you all very much,” the president concluded.
President Herzog in Turkey (Photo: Anna Bersky)The President’s announcement said Herzog would visit Ankara, where he would be received at a state reception at the Turkish president’s palace. Herzog will then meet in Istanbul with members of the Jewish community. Herzog will be the first Israeli leader to visit Turkey since 2008. The last state visit of an Israeli president to Turkey was in 2003.
As you may recall, upon taking office, Erdogan phoned Herzog to congratulate him on his election. This conversation led to the resumption of dialogue between the countries after years of disconnection.
During the visit, coordinated with Prime Minister Bennett, Foreign Minister Lapid and their offices, Herzog and Erdogan will discuss various bilateral issues, including relations between the countries and the potential for increased cooperation between the countries and peoples.
To allay concerns about the friendships of Israel, Greece and Cyprus, Herzog recently visited both, assuring that warming relations between Israel and Turkey will not be at their expense.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Photo: Reuters)One of the important issues that is expected to arise in the talks between Erdogan and Herzog is the gas exploration in the northeastern Mediterranean. Turkey is preventing and delaying searches in the territories north of Cyprus due to the dispute over Turkish Cyprus and the economic maritime territories it claims belong to it. As part of the preparations for the presidential visit that will begin today, a senior Turkish delegation arrived in Israel about ten days ago and its people met with Foreign Ministry Director General Alon Ushpiz and Presidential Director General Eyal Shuiki and their staff.
The Turkish delegation included Turkish Spokesman and Senior Adviser to Turkish President Ibrahim Kline and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sadat Onal. In meetings held at the Foreign Ministry and at the President’s House, the parties discussed preparations for Yitzhak Herzog’s visit to Turkey, bilateral relations between the two countries and other regional issues. In a joint statement to the President’s House and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that the parties agreed that the restoration of relations could contribute to the stability of the region.
Turkish officials’ visit came after Foreign Ministry Director General Ushpiz visited Turkey in December last year, and at a meeting there began a debate on Herzog’s visit to Turkey. The Turkish newspaper Sabah recently reported that Herzog would visit Turkey on March 9, after Erdogan said Herzog’s visit In his country can open a new page in the relationship.