By Times of Israel—
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid spoke Thursday by phone with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, amid an apparent thaw in relations between Jerusalem and Ankara.
According to Lapid’s office, Cavusoglu called to inquire about the foreign minister’s health following his COVID-19 diagnosis.
The phone call was the first between Israeli and Turkish foreign ministers to be publicly announced in 13 years.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently shifted to a more positive tone toward Israel, saying on several occasions that he would like to improve ties after years of acrimony.
On Wednesday Tuesday he said President Isaac Herzog may visit Turkey soon, while adding there was a possibility of an energy deal between Israel and Turkey.
In December, he told a delegation of visiting Jewish leaders that relations with Israel were “vital for the security and stability of the region” and spoke optimistically about the potential for improving ties. Continue Reading…
