Israel and Syria keep talking…

Mr Erdogan is said to have been motivated to take this diplomatic initiative as a result of his talks with Mr Olmert, who seemed keen on holding negotiations with Syria. In fact, the news about the initiation of the Turkey-mediated talks was disclosed simultaneously early in May in the three capitals.

The first round of talks is understood to have focused mainly on procedural matters and listing the relevant issues to be negotiated. Some of those issues are said to have been tackled this week.

These cover a wide range of differences, over such matters as security arrangements and water distribution. 

The Israelis are thought to have made the return of the Golan Heights conditional on guarantees which would involve Syria stopping support for Hizbollah and distancing itself from Iran.

Mr Assad wants to get back the Golan which his father, Hafez Assad, lost in the 1967 war — and to end his international isolation.

As for Turkey’s interest in acting as a peace-broker, Ankara has good relations with Syria as well as with Israel and enjoys the confidence of both sides. Turkey has already proved that it can play the role of a regional power and has acted as a mediator between Israel and Pakistan and between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Last year, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas were hosted by Mr Erdogan and invited to address the Turkish Parliament.