The defence ministers of Israel and Turkey on Sunday stated they had overcome a diplomatic spat and were working to develop ties and further military projects. After talks with Turkish officials in Ankara, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the countries managed to move beyond a disagreement after Israel apologized for its treatment of the Turkish ambassador.
"I believe it was a mistake, and the right step was taken," Barak said, according to AFP. "It is appropriate that all the ups and downs in our relationship over the years should be solved and put behind us."
Turkish Defence Minister Vecdi Gonul called Israel a "neighbour" and "strategic ally" with which Turkey had common interests in the region. "We are living in the same area, although we don't have common borders, we have the same interests," Gonul said. "We are strategic allies as long as our interests force us to do so."
According to him, Turkey and Israel had completed seven out of 13 military projects, including upgrade of F-4 and F-5 jets, and were looking to jointly upgrade M-60 main battle tanks in Turkey for other countries in a new level of co-operation. Israel is to deliver 10 Heron unmanned aircraft to Turkey in the first half of this year, Gonul added. Turkey hopes use the drones to monitor Kurdish rebel hideouts.
