Erdogan to visit Damascus on thursday

Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan announced on Saturday that he will pay a one-day working visit to Damascus later this week, and also praised the bilateral dialogue between Turkey and Syria. "We believe that close dialogue between Turkey and Syria is not only important for our two countries' relations, but is also important for regional peace and stability," Erdogan told reporters at a Victory Day reception held by the General Staff in Ankara. "We will go on Thursday. It will be a very productive working visit." He also noted that the fifth round of Turkey-mediated talks between Israeli and Syrian officials will be held in the coming days, without giving any details.