Turkey, Israel To Normalise Relations

Turkey and Israel will conclude the process of mutual appointment of ambassadors within a week or ten days at most, announced the spokesperson of Turkish President Erdogan, reported Reuters.

The exchange of ambassadors is a key step in the process of normalising bi-lateral relations. Earlier, the two countries agreed on deepening their co-operation in the energy sector.

At the end of June, the countries signed an agreement on reconciliation which put an end to the 6-year rift.

Relations between Turkey and Israel soured in 2010 when Israeli commandos killed in international waters 10 Turkish pro-Palestinian members of a flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip ruled at the time by Hamas Islamic extremists.

Israel has undertaken the obligation to pay USD 20 M in compensation for the people who died in the incident with the Mavi Marmara ferry, while Turkey will drop the charges against the Israeli commandos.