Israeli-Syrian talks to continue in August

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

ISTANBUL (AFP) — Israeli and Syrian officials completed a fourth round of Turkish-mediated indirect talks here on Wednesday and agreed to resume negotiations in August, a Turkish diplomat said.

"The talks were held in a constructive atmosphere," the diplomat, who asked not to be named, told AFP after the negotiations, which he said began on Monday, were wrapped up.

The two sides agreed to hold a fifth round of talks in August, again indirectly, he said.

Under the format of the talks, which started in May after an eight-year freeze, Israeli and Syrian officials do not see each other and Turkish diplomats shuttle between the two sides.

Turkish officials have said that face-to-face talks would become possible if sufficient progress is recorded.

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