Tel Aviv (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Israel and Turkey have reached a preliminary agreement on the "normalization" of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Relations between the two countries were interrupted in 2010, when Israel raided a ship (the Mavi Marmara) on its way to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip, killing five Turkish activists. Under the agreement, Israel will compensate the families of the victims, while Ankara will drop all charges and claims against Israel.
At present there is no official confirmation from the two sides regarding the resumption of relations, but some senior officials speaking anonymously state an understanding has been reached. The agreement was made in Switzerland, during a meeting between senior representatives of the two countries.
From initial information it appears that the agreement also provides for the exchange of ambassadors between Israel and Turkey.
During the meeting between the two delegations also discussed a project to build a gas pipeline that will link Israel and Turkey. This is no small project, given that lately Ankara has become embroiled in a fierce dispute with Moscow, its main gas supplier, after the shooting down of a Russian fighter jet in Syrian airspace.
In the past, Turkey and Israel were close allies in the Middle Eastern region; until the army raid on the flotilla caused the interruption of diplomatic relations.
Negotiations on the compensation to the families of the victims began in 2013, after Israel extended a formal apology to Turkey under pressure from US President Barack Obama. However, this first step was not followed up- at least so far –with more steps for rapprochement between the two states.