EJP | News | Germany | Israel and Turkey seek greater cooperation

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Israel and Turkey seek greater cooperation

Updated: 13/Jan/2006 13:58

Israel FM Sivan Shalom and his Turkey counterpart Abdullah Gul

Photo: Turkish MFA

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Israel and Turkey are currently engaging in a process that could lead to greater cooperation between the two nations.

An agreement presently under consideration in the Turkish Parliament would see Turkey and Israel cooperate on technological research, especially space technology, but also on communications, aerodynamics and renewable energy.

Israel and Turkey have long held an important strategic and security cooperation and are hoping for these relationships to progress further in various fields of expertise for both nations.

Science is considered a key element of future cooperation and the fields where cooperation is sought include information technology, lasers and optics, and mechanical electronics.

Mutual benefit

The agreement also encourages entrepreneurs from both countries to develop projects. Turkish and Israeli businesses will be encouraged to exchange information and work on joint projects for their mutual benefit.

According to the agreement symposiums, conferences and seminars will be held by top officials and experts in many areas of interest relating to the needs of the two partner nations.

Turkish newspaper Zamat said that Turkish officials and experts are confident that ties between the two nations will only grow if Ehud Olmert wins the upcoming elections in Israel.

Olmert helpful

Turkish businessman Ahmet Reyiz, Yilmazlar Construction Company Executive Board Chairman has a very close relationship with Olmert and told Zamat that when he was Ministry of Trade and Industry, Olmert created very important ties with Turkey.

Yilmazlar is a good example of a successful relationship between Israel and Turkey as it was the only Turkish company to win the best company in Israel award.

Turkey has also recently pledged to donate over 4 million Euros to create an industrial zone in the northern Gaza strip. The decsion was announced during a recent visit by Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul to the region.

The pledge which will be met largely by Turkish companies is expected to create over 10,000 new jobs to help boost the ailing Gazan economy.

While visiting the Gaza strip, Gul said "We believe this area will be revitalized in a short time, supporting the establishment of the Palestinian industry on one side, and providing jobs for thousands of Palestinians on the other."

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