By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL (GOLDENHORN AGENCY)- Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz who was in Ankara for four days meeting with Turkish President Erdogan and Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, lauded Turkiye for its role as “an important global actor.” Gantz spoke to reporters prior to his departure from Turkiye on Thursday, sharing his expressions of gratitude for a “warm welcome.” Gantz commented: “The reestablishment of defense ties between our countries contributed to security and the stability of the Middle East, adding to the positive trends that we already see as a result of the Abraham Accords.” The Abraham Accords which were formalized in the fall of 2020, included a normalization of ties between Israel and several Arab states.
Gantz said that Israel and the Turkish nation have a “shared interest to maintain stability and security, and to ensure prosperity in the region.” He added that this includes a joint effort to combat terrorism in the region. The Israeli defense minister thanked Erdogan and Akar for their efforts in thwarting terrorist threats against Israeli citizens in Israel in June when 10 Iranian suspects were nabbed by Turkish authorities for plotting attacks against the Israeli citizens. Gantz said that cooperation “is critical for both countries.” Gantz added that he has instructed his team to begin procedures to reestablish working relations with Turkiye.
The Israeli defense minister reiterated: “We will progress in our ties in a steady manner and maintain an open dialogue. Israel views the Republic of Turkiye as an important global actor with great potential to expand our ties in the economic fields and now also in the defense area, and to make any possible effort to ensure and promote stability in the entire region.”
