Switzerland

U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby welcomed Dec. 21 a potential agreement between Israel and Turkey to improve the tense relations which have been simmering for more than five years. 

"We've seen reports of a potential agreement between Israel and Turkey to restore diplomatic relations," said Kirby during a daily press briefing on Dec. 21.

In an apparent bid to single out practices of the elected Israeli government which are disreputable for the Turkish government from the broad framework of the bilateral relationship with Israel, a senior executive of Turkey's ruling party has said the "friendly" nature of relations with both "the Israeli state and the Israeli people" were undisputable for Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an met with Khaled Mashaal, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, on Dec. 19 in Istanbul, Turkish presidential sources said, a day after Israel and Turkey said they were close to patching up a five-year political rift. 

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?çdaro?lu has welcomed reports of possible rapprochement between Turkey and Israel, suggesting that it was "already expected."

Sevil Erku?sevil.erkus@hurriyet.com.trA Turkish government official has confirmed to Hürriyet Daily News that Israeli and Turkish officials held talks in Switzerland over the broken ties and may reach a deal soon.

Israel and Turkey have reached a preliminary agreement to normalize relations, including the return of ambassadors to both countries, Reuters quoted an Israeli official as saying on Dec 17.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has said it expects to rule by the end of next month on Bulgaria's appeal against a ban on its weightlifting team for the 2016 Olympics, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

The UN released its annual Human Development Index (HDI) for 2015 and Norway is on the top for the 12th year in a row.

Norway scored 0.944 followed by Australia and Switzerland making them the best countries to live in for health, life expectancy, education and high incomes, whereas Greece ranked 29th with 0.865.

Turkey and eight EU countries as well as the EU Commission will come together to discuss the Syrian refugee issue at a meeting on Dec. 17 in Brussels, where Ankara hopes to learn the number of refugees these countries will receive in the coming year. 

Yemen's warring parties agreed on Dec. 16 to exchange hundreds of prisoners as part of confidence building measures under U.N.-sponsored peace talks now under way in Switzerland, officials from both sides said.