RAMALLAH - A Turkish delegation led by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu has held a series of talks with Palestinian authorities in Ramallah.
The delegation met Palestinian Planning Minister Samir Abdullah and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. Later, they were received by President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine.
President Abbas expressed his pleasure with Turkey's election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2009-2010. He also extended support to Turkey-mediated indirect talks between Israel and Syria.
Referring to the peace talks between Israel and Palestine, Abbas said that signing of a peace agreement between the parties by the end of the year seemed unlikely due to political developments in Israel.
The Turkish delegation will be received by President Shimon Peres of Israel on Wednesday. The delegation will also hold talks at the Israeli ministries of foreign affairs and defense with the bilateral relations and the industrial zone Turkey was planning to establish near Hebron high on their agenda.
The delegation is expected to return to Turkey on Thursday.
(UK)
(DIP)