TheCable

Israel and Turkey say they will return to full normalisation of relations, including reinstating ambassadors and consuls-general following a steady improvement in diplomatic ties.

Yair Lapid, the Israeli prime minister, said this in a statement on Wednesday.

Relations between the countries deteriorated 12 years ago after the Mavi-Marmara flotilla incident. The flotilla raid was a military operation by Israel against six civilian ships owned by the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights, Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief.

Nine activists were reportedly killed.

The resumption of relations with Turkey was reached during Lapid’s visit to Ankara and conversation with Recep Erdoğan, the Turkish president, and Mevlot Çavuşoğlu, the Turkish foreign minister, according to the statement.

“It was decided to once again upgrade the level of the relations between the two countries to that of full diplomatic ties and to return ambassadors and consuls general from the two countries,” the statement reads.

“This restoration of diplomatic relations is a continuation of the positive direction in the development of relations over the past year, since President Herzog’s diplomatic visit to Ankara, and the reciprocal visits of the foreign ministers to Jerusalem and Ankara.

“Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability.”

The move follows Israel’s effort to improve ties with regional powers.