Erdogan, Assad discuss resuming Turkey-brokered peace talks between Syria and Israel

Accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid a one-day official visit to Aleppo, Syria yesterday. During the visit, Erdogan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss restarting Turkey-mediated peace talks between Syria and Israel as well as regional and international matters. Davutoglu, his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moallem, and Hassan Ali Turkmani, a deputy of the Syrian vice president, also attended the meeting. Assad said he hopes Turkey will continue its mediation between Syria and Israel, adding that he is ready to work hard in this context for Middle East peace. Underlining the importance of Turkey's active role for regional peace, he said Turkey maintaining this role is critical. The two leaders also exchanged views on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, disputes among Palestinian groups, and recent developments in Lebanon. For his part, Erdogan said Turkey is ready to contribute to the Middle East peace process, and to do whatever it can when asked by regional countries. They also decided to set up a high-level strategic council to improve bilateral economic, political and cultural relations. Speaking to reporters before his trip, Erdogan said, "Turkey has been asked to help mediate again in the Arab-Israeli conflict. We feel a responsibility. Requests to resume the process have started to come. We are working on the issue." Turkey last year helped mediate indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria, but Syria suspended them in December over Israel's military offensive in Gaza.