Turkey’s main opposition leader welcomes rapprochement with Israel

ANKARA

Cihan Photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has welcomed reports of possible rapprochement between Turkey and Israel, suggesting that it was “already expected.”

“It was waiting on the Israeli prime minister’s table anyway,” Kılıçdaroğlu said late on Dec. 17, as reports about a preliminary deal between Israel and Turkey to normalize bilateral relations were leaked while he was in a live interview with private broadcaster Habertürk.

“It was already expected. Certainly, establishing warm and sincere relationships with all countries is for the good of both us and them,” he said.

A Turkish government official has confirmed to the Hürriyet Daily News that Israeli and Turkish officials held talks in Switzerland over the broken ties and may reach a deal soon.

“We have not reached an agreement yet,” the official said on Dec. 17, responding to a question on reports that the two countries have reached a preliminary deal.

“But [the discussions] may yield results soon,” the official added.

Talks with Israel have been ongoing for some time, Turkish Prime Ministry officials told the Hürriyet Daily News, adding that they were continuing in a positive manner but no consensus has yet been reached.