Olmert arrives in Turkey to discuss Mideast, trade
Source: Reuters
By Jonathan Saul ANKARA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert began a visit to Turkey on Wednesday, seeking to strengthen ties with a key Muslim ally amid regional tensions. "Turkey has a meaningful role to play in our region. It is a central Muslim state which can act as a bridge to Arab countries," Olmert told reporters aboard his plane before arriving in Ankara for the official visit. NATO-member Turkey is one of the few nations in the region to enjoy cordial ties with both the Israelis and Palestinians, as well as with Israel's foes, Syria and Iran. Olmert will hold talks on Thursday with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, President Ahmet Necdet Sezer and other senior officials, with discussions expected to touch on a number of regional and bilateral issues including trade and defence. Israel counts Turkey as its most important regional ally with close military ties and annual trade topping $2 billion. "One should not expect any big results from this trip," an Israeli diplomat in Ankara said. "It will focus on tightening relations and reassure that high-level cooperation continues and that both sides continue to see eye to eye on strategic issues." Turkish officials said Ankara has offered to mediate in fresh talks between Syria and Israel, after official negotiations collapsed in 2000, although no breakthrough is expected on the topic. Olmert may also discuss seeking Turkish support to help secure the remains of Israeli spy Eli Cohen who was executed in Damascus over 40 years ago. "All matters which it (Turkey) can help with will probably be part of the agenda," Olmert said, responding to a question about whether the Cohen case would be raised. An Israeli-Turkish agreement to build a pipeline to carry oil, natural gas, power, water and fibre optic cables, will also be among the issues on the table, Israeli officials said. A Turkish diplomatic source said there were hopes for a breakthrough on trade issues including tourism and Turkish plans to invest in the Erez industrial zone, a key commercial hub between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Israeli-Palestinian violence and internal Palestinian fighting have delayed implementation of the Erez plan. "If we can get strong commitment on the energy corridor and the Erez project it means jobs for so many people," the Turkish diplomat said. (Additional reporting by Paul de Bendern in Ankara)
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