Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday held a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential residence in Ankara, The Times of Israel reported.

According to Gantz’s office, the pair discussed a “series of strategic issues, and the two countries’ commitment to work for stability, prosperity, and security in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.”

His office said that Gantz thanked Erdogan for Turkish authorities managing to foil “a series of attacks by Iranian cells that were planning to assassinate or kidnap Israeli tourists in Istanbul in late July.”

“This activity against terrorism has great significance for the ability to strengthen cooperation and renew the official defense relations between the countries,” Gantz’s office added.

Gantz was accompanied by his counterpart, Hulusi Akar, with whom he met earlier in the day for a discussion on renewing defense ties between the countries.

In a statement following his meeting with Akar, Gantz said “it is no secret that our ties have faced challenges,” but he added that the landmark trip, the first in a decade, is a “clear signal for positive developments ahead.”

“I am glad to say that Turkey is one of our top five trading partners. Over the years, our economic ties have grown,” Gantz said.

“On the diplomatic front, the return of our ambassadors has set the stage for us today. In fact, my visit to Ankara is the third by an Israeli leader in less than a year. The gates have opened and there is great potential for cooperation in trade, tourism, industry, and more,” he said.

“Turkey and Israel have both built modern, advanced societies on a foundation rich in history. Our future is promising, yet dependent on our shared interest to maintain security and stability in the region and the world,” he continued.

“I believe a lot more can be done together in order to reduce the influence of those who destabilize our regions by supporting or carrying out terrorism against innocent civilians,” Gantz added.

Gantz noted Israel’s ties with Turkish rivals Greece and Cyprus, before saying that “moving forward, we must adopt a steady, positive approach in our relations, maintaining [an] open dialogue.”