BICOM

A Turkish government minister visited Israel yesterday for the first time since 2010.

Turkish Tourism Minister Nabi Avci was welcomed by his Israeli counterpart Yariv Levin, who said that “bilateral relations between Israel and Turkey are an essential component to stability in the region and to economic progress”. He predicted that Avci’s visit “will strengthen the strategic ties between Israel and Turkey, which have enormous importance from a geopolitical and tourism point of view”.

Avci, who is in Israel to attend a tourism exhibition and conference in Tel Aviv, commented that “tourism is an excellent way of meeting people and strengthening the connection between them” and that “through tourism, the connection between the countries can be improved”.

He said that it is Turkey’s duty “to host tourists coming from Israel in the best possible way” and that he aims to increase the number of Israeli tourists to Turkey from the current figure of 260,000 to 600,000 each year.

Avci’s visit follows the first direct bilateral talks between Israel and Turkey for six years, which took place two weeks ago in Turkey. Israel’s delegation was headed by Foreign Ministry Director General Yuval Rotem.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Turkey broke down following the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010, during which ten Turkish citizens were killed on a Gaza-bound protest ship while attempting to prevent Israeli commandos from boarding the vessel. The previously warm relationship between the two countries was suspended.

In June, Israel and Turkey agreed a reconciliation deal to restore diplomatic relations. Israel agreed to pay compensation to the families and will allow Turkish aid and infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip. In return, Turkey will not allow itself to be used as a base for terror groups such as Hamas and bilateral relations with Israel will be extended.