Israeli president welcomed with official ceremony in Turkish capital

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog was welcomed in Turkey’s capital Ankara Wednesday with an official ceremony.

Herzog was initially welcomed at Ankara Esenboga International Airport in the capital by Ibrahim Kalin, a top aide and spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After leaving the airport, Herzog visited Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of the Turkish Republic, and laid a wreath at Ataturk's gravesite.

Then Erdogan welcomed Herzog with an official ceremony at the presidential complex.

During his two-day state visit, Herzog is expected to meet with Erdogan for bilateral talks.

Erdogan and Herzog are set to hold a joint news conference after a meeting between the delegations of the two countries at the presidential complex.

On Thursday, Herzog will meet with members of the Jewish community in Istanbul.

Herzog’s visit, the first by an Israeli head of state in many years, is seen as a step towards moving from a period of strained ties to improved relations with Turkey.