Turkey’s new ambassador to Israel officially presented his credentials to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday, in a culmination of the two countries’ diplomatic reconciliation after a five-year freeze.

“This is a new beginning in our bilateral relations and in our joint efforts, in this region in which we have close ties, historical ties,” Ambassador Kemal Okem said.

“I will do my best to enhance our relations in every field – regardless of any difficulties that we may face, we will be able to overcome together with our partners and friends Israel,” he added.

Rivlin called the reconciliation between the two countries “a real moment in history.” He also gave thanks for Turkey’s assistance in fighting wildfires that ravaged Israel last month, and expressed condolences for the terrorist attack that rocked Istanbul on Saturday, killing 38 people and injuring more than 130.

Turkish-Israeli ties had been strained since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, when a flotilla under the control of the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation—a group designated as a terror organization by the Netherlands and Germany—attempted to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. IDF troops faced an “organized and violent” assault from a group of passengers after boarding the ship, according to a United Nations report. Ten crew members were killed in the ensuing fight, and several Israeli soldiers were injured.

After a reconciliation agreement was reached this past June, Israeli leaders noted the significant economic potential of closer ties. “Trade between Israel and Turkey has more than doubled from the Marmara event up until today,” said Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror, adding that the deal will bolster that growth with “joint projects in government level. People are speaking about gas and there are other issues that might emerge.”

Eitan Na’eh, Israel’s new ambassador to Turkey, presented his credentials to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last week.

[Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs ]