- Title: TURKEY: Turkish FM says both sides are satisfied with talks in Istanbul
- Date: 22nd May 2008
- Summary: (W3) ANKARA, TURKEY (MAY 22, 2008) (REUTERS) TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER ALI BABACAN AND BURKINA FASO FOREIGN MINISTER DJIBRIL BASSOLE COMING TO NEWS CONFERENCE HALL JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKEY'S FOREIGN MINISTER ALI BABACAN SAYING: "Israel-Syria track of the Middle East peace process has happened to be re-opened officially approximately after 13 years. This pr
- Embargoed: 6th June 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Turkey
- Country: Turkey
- Reuters ID: LVA42ASMPILUII4FMHY5KD1H3PO5
- Story Text: Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on Thursday says Israeli and Syrian sides are satisfied that shared ground is found in the three days of Israel-Syria talks in Istanbul in a joint news conference with his counterpart from Burkina Faso in Ankara.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan on Thursday (May 22nd) said Israeli and Syrian sides are satisfied that shared ground is found in the three days of Israel-Syria talks in Istanbul in a joint news conference with his counterpart from Burkina Faso in Ankara.
Babacan said "Israel-Syria track of the Middle East peace process has happened to be re-opened officially approximately after 13 years. This process will continue under Turkey's auspices. Both sides were satisfied that shared ground was found in the three days of Israel-Syria talks in Istanbul.
Both sides have left Turkey as of today and talks will happen periodically."
Israel and Syria said on Wednesday (May 21st) they had begun indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey, the first confirmation of negotiations between the long-time enemies in eight years.
On Turkey's involvement and role as facilitator, Babacan said "we, as Turkey, will do our best for talks to succeed. Turkey's involvement (in this process) and role as facilitator are the result of the demand of both countries. And, both countries attach importance Turkey's involvement in this process until the end."
While current location is in Istanbul but the talks could be held in different places if the parties wanted and to get the parties to sit around the same table will only be possible once satisfying, concrete progress is made, added Babacan.
Syrian officials said a month ago they were cooperating with Turkey on efforts to relaunch negotiations with Israel after an eight-year hiatus.
Peace talks between Syria and Israel collapsed in 2000 over the scope of a proposed Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a water-rich plateau overlooking Damascus.
Turkey has close ties to both Israel and Syria. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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