Turk FM: Israel, Syria to hold peace talks twice in July
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Israel and Syria left indirect peace talks "extremely satisfied" on Monday and will hold two more rounds in July under Turkey's mediation, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said on Tuesday. (UPDATED)
The second round of talks in Turkey were "completed with success", Babacan told reporters after talks with EU officials in Luxembourg.
"More importantly the calendar was set for the next two meetings which will be held in July," he was quoted by the AFP as saying.   Â
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert aides Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turjeman held indirect talks with Syrian counterparts in Ankara on Sunday and Monday.
Babacan, in Luxembourg for an EU membership conference, said he did "not wish to elevate the expectations because this is a very complicated matter".
"Turkey is acting as facilitator and Turkey is trusted by both of these countries," said Babacan.
"As long as we see the opportunity for peace we are determined to continue the process. Of course the will of both parties is very important."
Israeli President Shimon Peres on Sunday publicly called on Syria to enter direct talks, citing the example of former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, who forged a peace deal with the Jewish state.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said earlier this month that direct peace talks with Israel were unlikely before 2009 and depended on the fate of Olmert, who has been dogged by calls for his resignation over a graft scandal.
The last round of peace talks broke down in 2000 over the fate of the
Photo: AA