REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ANKARA -- Turkey's new Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, suggested a comprehensive shift in foreign policy such as restoring ties with countries like Russia, Israel and Egypt in the near future.
Yildirim read out his cabinet's program in the parliament after receiving a presidential mandate to form a government on Tuesday.
He pledged to make efforts to "normalize relations and develop ties on common interests meeting on a common ground with Russia with keeping mutual dialogue channels open."
Moscow and Ankara have been at odds since the latter shot down a Russian warplane in 2015 claiming it violated its national airspace.
The new government plans to consolidate political and economic cooperation with the Asia-pacific region through establishing industry-specific partnerships with the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).
Yildirim stressed that his government will enhance economic relations with Iran after international sanctions have been lifted off Tehran.
The new prime minister did not mention ties with Israel although both countries are reportedly close to reaching an agreement to normalize relations between them.
Relations between Turkey and Israel deteriorated after Israeli soldiers killed nine Turks when a Turkish humanitarian aid ship attempted to breach the embargo against the Gaza Strip in 2010.
Yildirim also prioritized introducing a new constitution and changing the country's political system to an executive presidential one, and called on opposition parties to cooperate together in establishing the country's charter.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will chair the new government's first cabinet meeting at the presidential palace on Wednesday, a symbolic move signaling Erdogan's de facto executive presidency.
The new government is expected to receive a vote of confidence on Sunday following the parliamentary session on Friday.
Given the fact that the Justice and Development party (AKP) has the majority of seats in parliament, it is highly likely that the new government will receive the vote of confidence.
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