UPDATE - Israeli president to pay 2-day official visit to Turkiye

ADDS STATEMENT BY TURKIYE'S COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE

By Mucahit Aydemir and Sefa Sahin

JERUSALEM/ANKARA (AA) - Israeli President Isaac Herzog will pay a two-day official visit to Turkiye on March 9-10, authorities said on Saturday.

The visit will come upon the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement by the Israeli presidency.

The Israeli president’s wife, Michal Herzog, will accompany him during the visit.

The two leaders will have a meeting at the presidential complex following an official welcoming ceremony in the capital Ankara.

Erdogan and Herzog are expected to discuss several bilateral issues, including Israeli-Turkish ties, and the potential to enhance cooperation in various fields.

The Israeli president is also expected to meet with members of the Jewish community in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul during his visit.

According to a statement by Turkiye's Communications Directorate, bilateral ties between the two countries will be reviewed in all dimensions during the visit

The two leaders are expected to discuss steps that can be taken to improve cooperation between Turkiye and Israel, as well as to exchange views on the latest regional and international developments, the statement added.

Herzog will become the first Israeli leader to visit Turkiye since 2008.

Erdogan announced Feb. 3 that the Israeli president will visit Turkiye in March, saying it will be good for Turkiye-Israel relations.