For first time in 3 years, Israeli, Turkish ministers to meet officially - Shlomo Cesana and Israel Hayom Staff

by Shlomo Cesana and Israel Hayom Staff

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz to attend energy conference in Istanbul hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan • Steinitz also slated to meet Turkish counterpart • Report: Turkey's new ambassador to Israel is Erdogan adviser Kemal Okem.

Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz | Photo credit: Dudi Vaaknin

For the first time in three years, an Israeli minister will travel to Turkey on an official visit. Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz is scheduled to fly to Istanbul on Thursday, one day after Yom Kippur, to attend the 23rd World Energy Congress hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During the visit, Steinitz will meet with his Turkish counterpart, Berat Albayrak, who is also Erdogan's son-in-law. 

The visit will mark the first formal work meeting between senior government officials of the two countries since the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010. An agreement to restore and normalize diplomatic ties was signed in late June. 

Meanwhile, it was reported in Turkey over the weekend that Kemal Okem, a close adviser to Erdogan, will serve as Turkey's new ambassador to Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the normalization agreement with Turkey was of "strategic importance" and would promote stability in the turbulent Middle East.

"Israel and Turkey are two major regional powers," Netanyahu said in June. "The disconnect between us prevented necessary cooperation."

The reconciliation deal could clear the path for lucrative Mediterranean gas deals involving Israel and Turkey.

Shlomo Cesana and Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=37015

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