UPDATE - Türkiye-Israel ties to gain 'new momentum' after appointment of ambassadors

UPDATES WITH ISRAELI PRESIDENT'S REMARKS; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - The relations between Türkiye and Israel will gain a "new momentum" after the appointment of ambassadors, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday.

According to Türkiye's Communications Directorate, Erdogan and his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog discussed bilateral relations and regional issues over the phone.

During the conversation, Erdogan said he considers the decision to mutually appoint ambassadors "an important step" towards the positive development of Türkiye-Israel relations.

Erdogan told Herzog that Türkiye is in favor of developing cooperation and dialogue on the basis of respect for mutual sensitivities.

Earlier this week, Türkiye and Israel decided to fully restore diplomatic ties, and reappoint ambassadors after over four years.

Meanwhile, Herzog said on Twitter that he spoke with Erdogan on the occasion of the restoration of full diplomatic relations, return of ambassadors and consuls-general, and resumption of Israeli flights to Türkiye.

"We welcomed the development and expressed our hopes for future progress," he added.

Herzog also thanked Erdogan for his "critical contribution" to the agreement for the export of grain from Ukraine and for his recent meetings with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine.