Israel and Turkey have decided to restore full diplomatic ties and will return ambassadors to each other's countries, Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid's office said on Wednesday.

"Upgrading relations will contribute to deepening ties between the two peoples, expanding economic, trade, and cultural ties, and strengthening regional stability," the statement said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed the move saying, "Appointment of ambassadors was one of the steps for the normalization of ties. Such a positive step came from Israel as a result of these efforts, and as Turkey, we also decided to appoint an ambassador to Israel, to Tel Aviv."

Diplomatic breakthrough despite Palestinian tensions

In 2018, Turkey recalled its ambassador to Israel after deadly protests on the Gaza border and then-US President Donald Trump moved Washington's embassy to Jerusalem. Israel also pulled its ambassador to Turkey. 

Cavusoglu said on Wednesday, "we are not giving up on the Palestinian cause."

"It is important for our messages to be conveyed directly through the ambassador," he added. 

In recent months, however, both Turkey and Israel have made moves to improve relations.

In March, the countries announced a new era in relations when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Ankara.

On Wednesday, Lapid described the diplomatic breakthrough as an "important asset for regional stability and very important economic news for the citizens of Israel."

lo/sms (AFP, Reuters)