Turkey, which is mediating peace between Israel and Syria, voiced hope for direct talks between the two old
foes.
“A common ground is now being formed and that common ground is considered to be satisfactory by both
sides,” Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told reporters Tuesday.
“If meaningful and concrete developments take place in these mediated talks, it will be possible at that time to have direct meetings between the two sides,” he said, but cautioned: “We are at the very beginning of this process and it is not going to be an easy one.”
Israeli and Syrian envoys this month began exchanging messages using Turkish go-betweens at an Istanbul hotel.
Ankara enjoys robust relations with both Jerusalem and Damascus and wants to avert future Israeli-Syrian
hostilities for the sake of regional stability.
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