Israel's top diplomat singing Turkey's new FM's praises

Israel?s top diplomat has highly commended Turkey?s new Foreign Minister, Feridun Sinirlio?lu, as a chance for Turkey to have a high-skill diplomat as foreign minister, while seeming convinced of a positive change in the dynamics of Israel-Turkey relations, despite the fact of more visible differences in the last few years.

According to Dore Gold, the director-general of Israel?s Foreign Ministry, there are reasons for being hopeful when an increasing convergence of interests between the two countries offers a chance to the two once-close allies for turning the Middle East into a much more productive and peaceful area.

?I sent your new foreign minister a letter of congratulations,? Gold told a group of journalists from Turkey on Sept. 1.

?I have to say that many people in different capitals asked about the Rome meeting and ? I heard the highest praise whether I was in a European capital or speaking to American officials about his diplomatic skills,? Gold told the visiting group.

Gold, a longtime adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, held an unannounced meeting with his former Turkish counterpart, Sinirlio?lu, undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry who has recently taken over as minister, in Rome in the second half of June to explore ways of improving ties.

?Turkey is very lucky to have him as foreign minister. He is a first-class diplomat,? Gold said, declining to elaborate whether he and Sinirlio?lu have been planning to hold a meeting in a near future.

Taking pains to not set a prospective calendar, Gold, nonetheless, was bold while explaining his optimistic view of the future and listing certain factors as reasons nourishing his optimism.

?Israelis feel a great affinity to Turkey,?...