Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Turkey, Israel on the Brink of Warming Ties by VOA News Turkey says its diplomatic officials have made progress with Israeli diplomats on an agreement to normalize ties. Ankara's Foreign Ministry said Friday that officials agreed in London Thursday to finalize the deal at their next meeting. A date was not specified; the Ministry said in a statement that it would be "very soon." Ties between the two countries broke down in 2010 over Israel's interception of a Turkish aid ship bound for Gaza, which was under a blockade because of the Hamas militant group's leadership there. Ten Turkish activists were killed in the incident in 2010, and Turkey has demanded compensation as well as an end to the blockade of the Palestinian territory. __________________________________________________________________ [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-israel-on-the-brink-of-warming -ties/3275956.html References 1. http://www.voanews.com/content/turkey-israel-on-the-brink-of-warming-ties/3275956.html