Turkey must accept that it needs "Israel," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, as the two sides seek to thrash out a deal on normalizing ties.

Turkey must accept that it needs "Israel," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday, as the two sides seek to thrash out a deal on normalizing ties.

"Israel is in need of a country like Turkey in the region," Erdogan said in remarks to Turkish reporters published in leading dailies Saturday.

"And we too must accept that we need 'Israel'. This is a reality in the region," said Erdogan.

"If mutual steps are implemented based on sincerity, then normalization will follow."

Indicating possible progress on the blockade, Erdogan said "Israel" had suggested it would allow goods and construction materials into Gaza if they came via Turkey.

"We need to see a written text to ensure there is no deviation from the agreement," he said.