Istanbul – Israeli President Isaac Herzog may soon be visiting Turkey, said Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday.
Erdogan while addressing a press conference said, “having talks with President Herzog. He may be visiting Turkey soon,” according to the Turkey’s Anadolu news agency.
Erdogan also told reporters that there are possibilities of energy deal between Turkey and Israel, and he is open to change his behavior to smoothen relations with the Jewish state.
“We are now holding talks with President Herzog. He could visit us in Turkey. Prime Minister [Naftali] Bennett also has a positive approach,” Erdogan said. “As Turkey, we will do our best to cooperate on a win-win basis”.
“As politicians, we should not be there to fight but to live in peace”, Erdogan added.
In an effort to mend ways, Erdogan called Herzog last week to offer condolences on the death of his mother, after he had sent a letter.
Erdogan flattered Herzog that his late mother, Aura Herzog, would be proud “of your service to the citizens of Israel.”
In November 2021, Erdogan personally intervened to release an Israeli couple who were arrested and held for more than a week in Istanbul.
Meanwhile, Herzog’s spokesperson declined to comment about the visit as of now. A senior diplomatic official told Ynet that there had been discussions about Herzog traveling to Turkey, but “no decisions that it will happen”.
