Region | Palestinian Territories
Syrian president says more progress needed in Turkey talks before face-to-face meeting
There needs to be more progress in Turkey-mediated talks between Syria and Israel before direct talks can be held, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad said on Thursday.
- Agencies
- Published: 14:50 June 19, 2008
New Delhi: There needs to be more progress in Turkey-mediated talks between Syria and Israel before direct talks can be held, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad said on Thursday.
Assad made the comments while on a four day trip to India.
There is speculation that the leaders of the two countries will meet at a summit for European and Mediterranean countries in Paris.
But Assad said the Turkey talks will have to see more progress before he agrees to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
"The meeting between me and the Israeli prime minister will be meaningless without the technocrats laying the foundation, without reaching the final stage," he said.
He added that the Turkey talks have been a “glimmer of hope'', but more work had to be done.
Israel and Syria have agreed to continue the negotiations over the fate of the Golan Heights in July.
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