Turkish, Israeli officials resume ties after six years

By Erkan Avci

ANKARA

Senior Turkish and Israeli officials met for the first time in more than six years on Wednesday to explore deepening ties, a diplomatic source said.

Foreign Undersecretary Umit Yalcin and his Israeli counterpart Yuval Rotem met in Ankara for talks on cooperation in energy, economy, culture and tourism as well as discussing regional concerns, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

It was the first political consultation between senior diplomats since the attack on the Mavi Marmara aid ship in May 2010, when Israeli commandos killed 10 Turkish activists on the Gaza-bound vessel in international waters.

The meeting follows an agreement last June to normalize relations between the countries, who were close regional allies before the Mavi Marmara incident. Both sides appointed ambassadors to the other’s respective capitals at the end of last year.

Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avci is due to visit Israel on Feb. 7 as part of the drive to renew ties.