Turkey, Israel to weigh in on deepening cooperation amid rapprochement

Trade between Turkey and Israel has been surging over the past five years, before hitting a record $8.4 billion 

Turkey and Israel will seek ways to mend once close relations and look to overcome years of strained ties as their presidents meet for the first time in more than a decade to discuss steps to improve cooperation.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog is arriving in Ankara on Wednesday on a two-day trip that both sides have said will address potential areas of cooperation and explore ways to deepen bilateral relations.

Throughout the years of tensions, the countries maintained trade links, which remained at high levels and even hit a record last year.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Herzog are expected to review all aspects of Turkey-Israel bilateral ties and discuss steps that can be taken to improve cooperation, particularly in energy, trade and security.

The presidents will also hold talks on recent regional and international developments, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where both nations have ramped up diplomacy to mediate and help end the conflict.

Qazet.az reports that trade between Turkey and Israel has been surging over the past five years, before hitting a record $8.4 billion last year, according to official data, up from $6.2 billion in 2020.