Tel Aviv, Apr. 10, (dpa/GNA) – Israel and Turkey have held talks in Azerbaijan to discuss their respective interests in the Middle East, despite their deeply strained relationship.

“It was agreed to continue the dialogue in order to preserve regional stability,” said a brief statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday.

Little has been publicly said about the agenda of the talks. But media reports said the discussions focused on reducing tensions in Syria and avoiding direct confrontations in the region.

An Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi met with Turkish counterparts. Turkish government sources also confirmed the meeting.

Ties between Israel and Turkey are at a historic low. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly issued harsh verbal attacks on Israel over the war in Gaza and has previously referred to the Islamist Hamas group as a “liberation organization.”

Their relationship is further strained by conflicting interests in Syria. NATO member Turkey has aligned itself closely with Syria’s new government and aims to play a key role in rebuilding its military. Israel, in contrast, views Turkey’s growing presence in Syria as a potential threat.

GNA

PDC