Israel, Turkey relations 'on the verge of breakthrough': report

Israel and Turkey could be on the verge of a breakthrough in mutual relations, a report said on Monday.

Bilateral talks and full diplomatic relations could be restored as early as March if Israel shows openness to making peace, according to Mesut Casin, a Turkish presidential adviser on foreign affairs.

"If we see a green light, Turkey will open the embassy again and return our ambassador. Maybe in March, we can restore full diplomatic relations again. Why not," US international broadcaster Voice Of America quoted Casin as saying.

"Establishing peace and security is very important to Israel and Turkey. After Mavi Marmara, we don't want another accident with Israel," added Casin.

Relations between the two countries soured in 2017, eventually collapsing with Turkey withdrawing its ambassador. 

Casin's comments came in light of recent reports suggesting Ankara is to appoint its first ambassador to Israel in more than two and a half years.

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Turkey withdrew its ambasador in response to the Trump administration's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the Jewish state's crackdown on Palestinian protests.

Casin said that the election Joe Biden to the US presidency can turn a new page for Turkey-Israel relations.

"There are new perspectives with Biden; a lot of things will change," he said, according to VOA.