Indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria are making progress and both sides agreed to two more rounds under Turkish mediation next month, Turkey's foreign minister said Tuesday. Babacan, who was in Luxembourg for meetings with European Union officials, said the latest round of indirect talks on Sunday and Monday were complicated, but he expressed hope they could lead to a breakthrough. «The negotiations went very successfully and more importantly the calendar was set for the next two meetings, which will be held in July,» Babacan told reporters. He said both sides «were very satisfied» with the negotiations to date. He said forging a lasting peace between the two sides was «a very complicated matter, » adding the issues involved were «very sensitive» for Israelis and Syrians. Babacan did not go into detail on what progress was made but said Turkey would continue to act as intermediary, the Associated Press reported. «As long as we see hope for peace, we are determined to continue this process. Of course the will of both parties is also very important, » Babacan said. Last month Israel, Turkey and Syria announced that indirect negotiations have been taking place for a year, with Turkish diplomats shuttling between the two delegations.
