JERUSALEM: Israeli and Turkish diplomats met in Jerusalem on Sunday for routine talks hailed as "positive and warm" amid deteriorating relations between the allies.
The director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, Yossi Gal, met Turkish undersecretary for foreign affairs, Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Israeli ministry said in a statement.
"During the discussions, which were held in a positive and warm atmosphere, the two sides reiterated the importance of the relationship to both countries," it said.
The talks dealt with "a range of bilateral and regional issues and the peace process."
Once flourishing relations between Israel and its only ally in the Muslim world deteriorated sharply after Israel launched its devastating 22-day Gaza offensive in December 2008.
In a memorable outburst, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed out of a debate at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2009, after telling Israeli President Shimon Peres: "You know well how to kill people."
Relations were further strained after Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon gave Turkey’s ambassador a public dressing down in January to protest against a Turkish television series which showed Israel in a bad light.
After keeping Oguz Celikkol waiting, the envoy was made to sit on a low couch and the Turkish flag was removed from their table. Ayalon had pictures taken of the humiliating scene.
Recently Erdogan branded Israel the "principal threat to peace" in the region.
Sunday’s meeting was part of a regular dialogue between the two countries, and both sides agreed to hold their next discussion in Ankara in November, the statement said.
