TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Israel's military Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya'alon, began a two-day visit to Turkey Tuesday to strengthen military and diplomatic ties.
Ya'alon is a guest of Turkish military chief of staff Lt. Gen. Hilmi Ozkok, who visited Israel in 2003.
An Israeli army spokesman said the visit "is being held to strengthen the security and military contacts and cooperation" between the two armies.
Ya'alon was also scheduled to meet Turkish President Necdet Sezer, Defense Minister Zecdi Gonul, Gen. Ozkok, and visit the Turkish military academy.
Israeli and Turkish pilots have trained over each other's land and last month, both navies held a joint search and rescue exercise. Haaretz reported Monday the two countries are considering broadening their cooperation to include land forces.
