By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- Israeli Charge D’Affaires for Türkiye, Irit Lillian in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency (AA) commented on future relations between Israel and Türkiye. Lillian expressed her hope, commenting: “I believe very much in this normalization process because I think it is a gate that would enable relations between the two countries really to soar to new heights.” She added that both countries are moving into their next step in what she termed a ‘well-managed normalization process.’
Lillian said restoration of full diplomatic ties has opened a new chapter in expanding and developing cooperation in a wide range of sectors including technology, tourism, defense as well as trade. As Lillian said: “There is a very large spectrum of cooperation in different fields – be it agriculture, water, desertification – that are in front of us.” Current trade between the two countries totals $8 billion but Lillian said she hopes it could reach $10 billion as a result of normalization in ties. She explained that a number of Israeli airlines are returning to Turkiye after a new aviation deal was signed last month and she said many Israeli tourists have returned as well.
She said the first ministerial visit from Turkish officials to Israel will probably focus on economic cooperation. Lillian said that a “a very senior minister from Türkiye” is scheduled to lead a delegation to Jerusalem and that that minister will be welcomed by Israel’s minister of economy. She said that the Israeli side is working on future meetings and that the Joint Economic Committee is expected to convene in September or October with a high-ranking Turkish official and their counterpart in attendance. Lillian began serving as charge d’affaires in Ankara in 2021 and said that the reconciliation process between the two countries “is a process that as part of it, contains a different deconfliction mechanism.” Lillian explained that if the de-escalation mechanism is handled properly by both countries, then it will lead to future conflict resolution when international crises arise.
