Ankara, Turkey, Jan. 13
By Atilla Caner – Trend:
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Israel, a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry told Trend Jan. 13.
“Cavusoglu’s visit is expected to take place in late January-early February,” said the source.
The source also noted that currently negotiations with the Israeli side are underway for preparation of the Turkish foreign minister’s visit to Israel.
It is expected that during Cavusoglu’s visit to Israel, the sides will discuss the normalization of relations, development of trade and economic cooperation, added the source.
Relations between Israel and Turkey worsened after the Freedom Flotilla incident in 2010, when a convoy of six ships, including one flying Turkey’s flag, tried to approach the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and activists on board. The flotilla was blocked and stormed by Israeli forces, with eight Turkish citizens being killed as a result.
Turkey signed an agreement with Israel on mending the relations on June 28. Israel paid Turkey a compensation of $20 million for the Freedom Flotilla incident Sept. 30.