ISRAEL, TURKEY SEEK TO BOLSTER DEFENSE TIESANKARA [MENL] -- Israel and Turkey appear to have launched a high-level effort to bolster defense and military relations.
Over the last week, two senior Israeli defense officials have arrived in Ankara for meetings with commanders of the military and heads of the Defense Ministry. Officials said the discussions have ranged from a renewal of joint exercises to new Israeli weapons sales to Turkey.
The effort was the first under the government of Prime Minister Recep Erdogan. Erdogan's government has played down relations with Israel while developing security cooperation with neighboring Syria.
On Tuesday, Israeli Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, met senior Turkish commanders and officials during his two-day visit to Ankara. Ya'alon was invited by his Turkish counterpart, Gen. Hilmi Ozkok.