SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES START OF PEACE TALKS BETWEEN SYRIA, ISRAEL

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES START OF PEACE TALKS BETWEEN SYRIA, ISRAEL

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General welcomes today’s announcement confirming that Syria and Israel have started indirect peace talks, under the auspices of Turkey, aimed at a comprehensive peace in accordance with the Madrid Conference terms of reference for peace.  He commends President Bashar al-Assad and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for taking this important step and thanks Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for his efforts.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record