More indirect Israel, Syria talks in July: Turkey

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) - Israel and Syria agreed this week to hold new rounds of indirect peace talks mediated by Turkey in July, Turkey's foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Israel and Syria concluded a second round of indirect peace talks on Monday and agreed to continue the negotiations, though not face-to-face for now, officials said.

"Yesterday and the day before the negotiations went very successfully and more importantly the calendar was set for the next two meetings, which will be held in July," Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan told a news conference after EU-Turkey talks in Luxembourg.

"I do not wish to elevate expectations because this is a very complicated matter, although compared to the Israeli Palestinian issue it is not as complicated," he said.

"As long as we see hope for peace we are determined to continue this process. Of course the will of both parties is very important."

Israeli and Turkish officials described the two days of talks -- the first negotiations between the long-time foes in eight years -- as positive and constructive.

A senior Israeli official said on Monday the sides had agreed to continue meeting on a "permanent basis" and Turkey said the meetings would be held regularly.

Israeli officials have said the possibility of a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not part of the negotiations.

However Israeli political sources said on Monday that Olmert's envoys, Yoram Turbowicz and Shalom Turjeman, intended to propose that Olmert and Assad meet in Paris next month, when both are expected to attend a July 13 summit of a new union of European and Mediterranean countries.