In a historic first, Israeli President Shimon Peres will address the Turkish parliament in Ankara next week during a state visit officials say the Jewish state's only Muslim ally is going all out for.
Peres is reportedly to be treated as a visiting king during his three-day visit to Istanbul and Ankara, where he will meet with Turkey's president, prime minister, foreign minister and various other national leaders.
The highlight of the visit will be a Peres address before the Turkish parliament, the first for an Israeli president. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will also address the assembly following meetings with Peres and his Turkish hosts over how best to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict.
Turkey has been looking to play a more significant role in the Middle East peace process on the strength of its warm relations with both Israel and most Arab nations.