Israeli President Isaac Herzog will pay an official visit to Turkey in February, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, hailing it as a chance to mend frayed relations.
"This visit could open a new chapter in relations between Turkey and Israel," Mr Erdogan told Turkey's NTV channel.
He said he was "ready to take steps in Israel's direction in all areas, including natural gas".
Relations between majority-Muslim Turkey and Israel froze after the death of 10 civilians in an Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla carrying aid for the Gaza Strip in 2010.
But in recent months the two countries have been working on a rapprochement, with Mr Erdogan, a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, holding phone conversations with Mr Herzog and other Israeli leaders.
The Turkish president said last week that he was prepared to work with Israel on reviving an old project to ship Mediterranean gas to European clients through Turkey.
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed inspects the Turkish Honour Guard with Mr Erdogan. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The main aim of Sheikh Mohamed’s visit is to enhance trade, business partnerships and investments with Turkey. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The invitation by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Sheikh Mohamed ‘truly marks a new era’ in further strengthening the ties between the UAE and Turkey, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, who is part of the delegation in Ankara. Photo: Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed said: ‘Today in Ankara I met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and we had fruitful discussions that focused on opportunities to strengthen our economic relations.’ Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Photo: Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The two leaders reviewed the partnership between their countries in various fields, as well as regional and international issues of common interest. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter -
An official reception ceremony was held in honour of Sheikh Mohamed after the arrival of his delegation on the palatial grounds. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter -
Sheikh Mohamed brought a large delegation from the UAE, including Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser. Photo: @BrothersBinZayed twitter -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan stand as the two countries' national anthems are played at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, National Security Adviser, greets Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Tahnoun in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch a signing ceremony between UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei and his Turkish equivalent Fatih Donmez. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch as an agreement is signed by Mr Al Mazrouei and Turkish Central Bank President Sehab Kavcioglu. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed greets a Turkish delegation alongside Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mansour attends a signing ceremony at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
From left, Fares Al Mazrouie, adviser at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the Supreme National Security Council, at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs --- -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan watch a signing ceremony between Ms Al Mheiri and Murat Kurum, Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanisation. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed greets a Turkish delegate during the reception at the Presidential Complex, alongside Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan inspect the Turkish Armed Forces Honour Guard. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan witness the signing of an agreement by Ali Baalawi, head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit, and Hayrettin Kurt, head of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board of Turkey. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Part of the Turkish Armed Forces Honour Guard, with Turkish and UAE flags at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Jassem Al Zaabi, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Committee and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, is greeted by Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Dr Al Jaber, Ms Al Mheiri, Suhail Al Mazrouei, Mr Al Shamsi, Mr Al Zaabi and Mohamed Al Mazrouei at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Ms Al Mheiri greets Mr Erdogan, in Ankara. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad and Dr Al Jaber at the meeting with Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Tahnoun and Mr Al Shamsi at the signing ceremony in Ankara. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, greets Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan witness the signing of an agreement between Mr Al Shamsi and Mehmet Mus, Turkish Minister of Trade. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan at the ceremony, where an agreement was signed between Saeed Al Dhaheri, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, and Erisah Arican, chairman of Borsa Istanbul. Hamad Al Kaabi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan at the ceremony, where an agreement was signed between Mohamed Al Suwaidi, chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and Burak Daglioglu, president of the Turkey Investment Office. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Mr Erdogan with the Turkish delegation at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Erdogan. Abdulla Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, Dr Al Jaber, Mr Al Zaabi, Mohamed Al Mazrouei and Mohamed Alabbar, founder and board member of Emaar Properties and chairman of Eagle Hills, at the Presidential Complex. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Ali Al Shamsi, deputy secretary general of the UAE Supreme National Security Council, with Mr Erdogan. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
His remarks came after the US reportedly ended support for a rival pipeline project involving Israel and Turkey's historic rival, Greece.
Turkey had strongly opposed the project, which was supported by the former administration of US president Donald Trump.
