Turkey and Israel to Commence Joint Energy Exploration, Signals Strengthening Ties

In a significant development, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey revealed Thursday that he reached an agreement with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to initiate joint energy exploration efforts. Erdogan stated that this collaboration would not only involve the establishment of energy pipelines to Turkey but also the creation of pathways from Turkey to Europe.

During their meeting on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, the first such meeting in seven years, the leaders discussed a range of issues and expressed optimism about the strengthening of their countries’ ties. Netanyahu was accompanied by Mossad chief David Barnea throughout his U.N. meetings, while Erdogan had the head of the Turkish National Intelligence Organization, Ibrahim Kalin, among other key officials in his delegation.

The discussions encompassed regional and international affairs, economic cooperation, and Turkey’s aspiration to export Israeli gas to Europe through its territory. The leaders also delved into the latest developments in the Palestinian context and explored steps toward normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, both leaders agreed on a visit exchange, with Netanyahu scheduled to visit Turkey first, followed by Erdogan’s reciprocal visit to Israel. They also discussed the establishment of a ministerial-level mechanism aimed at expanding cooperation between the two nations.

This development underscores the evolving diplomatic landscape in the region and the potential for increased collaboration between Turkey and Israel in the field of energy exploration and beyond.