Israel and Turkey announced a full renewal of diplomatic ties on Wednesday, August 17, following a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Lapid hailed the development in a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office as “an important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen Israel’s standing in the world.”
As part of the upgrade in ties, both countries are slated to soon exchange ambassadors and consuls general, though no timeline was provided.
“This restoration of diplomatic relations is a continuation of the positive direction in the development of relations over the past year, since President [Isaac] Herzog’s diplomatic visit to Ankara, and the reciprocal visits of the foreign ministers to Jerusalem and Ankara,” the statement said.
“God, we thank you for giving us opportunities to strengthen our relationships with other countries and create allies that we can depend on.”
Originally posted at VFINews.