Turkey To Seek Egypt, Israel Thaw After UAE Talks

By i24
Posted on 11/29/21 | News Source: i24

Erdogan suggested Turkish ambassadors could be sent back to Israel and Egypt

Turkey will take steps to improve relations with Israel and Egypt similar to those taken with the United Arab Emirates, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in comments published by Turkish media Monday.

"Just as a step was taken between us and the United Arab Emirates, we will take similar steps with the others," Erdogan told Turkish reporters on board his plane returning from a trip to Turkmenistan at the weekend, NTV broadcaster reported.

Regional issues strained Turkey and the UAE, but Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit to Ankara last week thawed relations as the countries sealed multi-billion-dollar investments.

Erdogan suggested Turkish ambassadors could be sent back to Israel and Egypt. He also said he was planning a return visit to the UAE in February. 

Turkey and Egypt broke off relations after the 2013 overthrow of ex-Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was supported by Erdogan.

They expelled their respective ambassadors and downgraded their relations in 2013.

In 2018, Turkey ordered out Israel's ambassador over the deadly clashes along the Gaza Strip border.

Earlier this month, Erdogan also held a rare phone call with Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett after Turkey's release of a detained Israeli couple.