Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has had the first meeting with Turkish journalists since the start of the long diplomatic crisis of Israel and Turkey. Netanyahu said that the two states are strong, sustainable and key countries of the instable region, ANS reports.
Israel reduced exports to Turkey by 26% in Q1 2012. The main export goods to Turkey are refined oil and chemicals. Israel reduced its position in the list of top trade partners of Turkey from 3rd to 6th.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to sacrifice relations with Israel and the US to improve ties with Iran and the Islamic world.
Turkey warned about a total freeze in relations with Israel in September 2011, similar to relations with Armenia. Ankara warned that it would not allow Israel to join NATO and would pressurize the IAEA to punish Israel for violating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Convention.
Israeli-Turkish relations were ruined when Israeli commandos attacked Turkish vessels carrying cargo for the Gaza Sector in spring 2010. Nine Turks were killed. Israel has not apologized for the incident or paid compensations to families of killed Turks.
The Israeli radio says that the recent statement of Netanyahu has something to do with Syria, a state both Israel and Turkey border with.
