Israel and Syria are creating "common ground" through talks mediated by Turkey, and such progress could lead to direct negotiations, Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan said Tuesday, reported dpa.
"The parties are not yet talking directly to each other," Babacan said, adding however that "common ground is now being formed."
"If meaningful and concrete developments take place in these mediated talks, it will be possible at that time to have direct meetings between the two sides," said Babacan while attending a meeting with European Union officials in Brussels.
An initial round of Turkish-mediated talks between Syrian and Israeli officials was held in Istanbul last week - the first in eight years.
Babacan did not elaborate on the substance of the talks, but said he had seen "strong political will on both sides."
"We are at the very beginning of this process at the moment. And it is not going to be an easy one. But it is important to have strong political will on both the Syrian and Israeli side. So far, we have seen this will. Let us hope this continues to prevail until the end of this process," Babacan said.