Erdogan's push to restore Turkey's relations with Israel at the expense of Cyprus and Greece is about to be cut short by the Israeli President. This was confirmed during his visit to Nicosia yesterday, just a week before his visit to Ankara.
[BR]Despite Turkish celebrations that Herzog's visit would mark a rapprochement and a new era for relations between Jerusalem and Ankara, the Israeli President himself yesterday appeared restrained and cautious. As he told President Anastasiades, this is the beginning of a dialogue and in no way will its outcome negatively affect the excellent relations his country maintains with Cyprus.
Isaac Herzog intends to convey to Ankara specific messages from Nicosia and Athens. He will call for respect of international law, sovereignty, sovereign rights of both countries and good neighbourly relations. He will also call on Erdogan to make a constructive contribution to the efforts being made to resume dialogue.
In this case, Turkey will not only be welcome to cooperate with Israel, but even to participate in regional cooperation schemes. As long as it understands that it has to abandon the legerdemain and focus on the positive agenda.
In his public statements from Nicosia, the Israeli President revealed that he will use as an argument "the tragedy in Ukraine, which is a reminder of the need to work together to protect our principles and interests."
In his public remarks from Nicosia, the Israeli President revealed that he will use as an argument "the tragedy in Ukraine, which is a reminder of the need to work together to protect our principles and interests.
Herzog's statements leave Nicosia completely satisfied, but it does not expect a positive response from the Turkish side. After all, it will not be the first time such a call has been made to the neighbouring country, which remains "chastened" by international law and the positive agenda.
The government is not at all concerned about the possibility that the Israeli president will not keep his word. All concerns focus on Erdogan's attitude and the cunning with which he has chosen to approach the re-engagement with Israel, believing that this will cause a blow to the trilateral with Cyprus and Greece.
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