Netanyahu: Israel-Turkey Deal Has 'Positive Immense Implications'

Jerusalem, 27 June, 2016 (TPS) -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday in Rome to discuss the upcoming reconcilation deal between Israel and Turkey to be announced later in the day.

Netanyahu addressed the upcoming reconciliation, stating, “I updated Secretary Kerry about our agreement with Turkey, which we will show at noon. I think it’s an important step here to normalize relations on one side. It has also immense implications for the Israeli economy, and I use that word advisedly – immense implications for the Israeli economy and I mean positive immense implications.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks at his meeting with US Secretary of State @JohnKerry today in Romehttps://t.co/SExGYWN44t

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 27, 2016

Kerry said in a statement before his meeting with Netanyahu in Rome, “we obviously have been encouraging a movement towards the resolution of the differences between Turkey and Israel.” He also addressed Britain’s recent vote to leave the European Union. “We talked about Brexit – impossible not to – and how that might or might not affect all economies,” Kerry said, “and I think we came to the conclusion that, managed properly, with leadership and effort by all of the parties to calm the waters and move in a steady way, that we can get through this – also another transformation, transition, and do so hopefully minimizing any kind of collateral negative effect.”  

PM Netanyahu is meeting this morning in Rome with US Secretary of State @JohnKerry. pic.twitter.com/6eojTGYWWK — Ofir Gendelman (@ofirgendelman) June 27, 2016

Kerry acknowledged that an Israel-Turkey reconciliation has been a long time goal for the American government, recalling a phone call made by President Barack Obama during a visit to Israel,

“I think when President Obama came to Israel, there was a famous phone call on the tarmac of the airport to Turkey, as we tried to move things forward. So this is coming full circle, and Mr. Prime Minister, I congratulate you. I know your team has been working long and hard at this. I think it’s a positive step, one of, I hope, the beginning of others.”