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Occupied Jerusalem: Israel and Syria on Wednesday made a surprise revelation that they were holding indirect peace talks through Turkish mediators.
The two parties issued statements minutes apart confirming that they were engaged in discussions, saying they "have declared their intent to conduct these talks in good faith and with an open mind," with a goal of reaching "a comprehensive peace."
This is the first official confirmation of contacts between the longtime enemies, although reports of the talks have surfaced in recent months.
Turkey, which is on good terms with both governments also acknowledged the talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's chief of staff and diplomatic adviser have been in Turkey since Monday, an official said.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestinians welcomed the latest news. "We want to reach a comprehensive peace and therefore we support talks between Israel and Syria," he said.
The two states’ last peace talks in 2000 collapsed after they failed to reach an agreement on the fate of the Golan Heights, Syrian territory that Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East war.
The talks began last year when the prime minister visited Turkey and were reaching a conclusion now, an Israeli official said.
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