Azerbaijan, Baku, 23 March / Trend A.Taghiyeva /
Following the start of the process of normalization of relations between Turkey and Israel, these countries are stepping up cooperation in the defence industry in the first place, editor of Turkey's Milli Gazete newspaper Mustafa Ozcan told Trend.
According to him, the reason for increased cooperation, particularly in the military sphere is that the Turkish defende industry is largely linked to the Israeli defence industry.
So, while strengthening the defence industry, Turkey has often appealed to Israeli experts and enjoyed the experience of Israel in this field, Ozcan said.
"Before the conflict, Turkey and Israel planned to hold joint military exercises. The countries also planned a number of projects in the military sphere. Cooperation priority for the two countries is precisely this industry," the expert said.
The agreement on the normalization of relations between Turkey and Israel was reached on Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for violations committed during maritime operation that caused death of Turkish citizens.
As reported by the Office of the Israeli Prime Minister, heads of governments agreed on the restoration of normal relations, including the return of the ambassadors and Turkey's refusal of legal harassment of Israeli soldiers.
In addition, according to Ozcan, cooperation between Turkey and Israel will move to a new phase in the economic sphere. This also applies to the private sector of both countries, which will be able to conduct projects that were stopped because of the conflict, he said.
"Many Turkish companies have won tenders in Israel, and carried out projects there. Same goes for Israeli companies in Turkey. However, following the conflict over the " Flotilla of Freedom ", the projects have been frozen," Ozcan said.
The expert also noted that after normalization of relations between the two countries, it is expected to increase mutual investments and, consequently, sales.
Relations between Turkey and Israel, which were two strategic and military partners before, worsened after Israeli naval attacks on the " Freedom Flotilla " carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza on May 31, 2010.
After this attack, killing nine Turkish citizens, Turkey announced a review of relations with Tel Aviv and demanded an official apology and payment of compensations to the families of the victims.