ANKARA - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Israel and Palestine on May 1st and 2nd, it was reported on Thursday.
Erdogan, who will leave for Israel on May 1st, will meet Israeli President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, First Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, main opposition SHINUI`s leader Yosef Lapid and Turkish Jews living in Israel.
A cooperation agreement on Industry, Research and Development will be signed between Turkey and Israel during the visit.
From Israel, Erdogan will proceed to Palestine on May 2nd.
Erdogan is scheduled to meet Palestinian Head of State Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ahmet Kurey.
Erdogan is expected to meet Turkish and Palestinian businessmen during his visit to Palestine, and will attend inauguration ceremony of Ramallah office of Turkish International Cooperation Agency (TICA).
Turkish Prime Minister will also visit tomb of late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
Steps will be made during the visits to ensure comprehensive and permanent peace in the Middle East and improvement of relations will be discussed.
Turkish National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul, Trade & Industry Minister Ali Coskun, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Minister Sami Guclu, Energy & Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Guler, parliamentarians, businessmen and journalists will attend the visit.
Erdogan and the accompanying delegation are expected to return to Turkey on May 2nd.