ANKARA, Jan 3 (AFP) - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on Monday left for a four-day trip to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan, during which he will discuss ways in which Ankara can help the stalled peace process.
"A new climate has emerged regarding the Middle East peace process and this new climate can lead to good results," Gul told reporters before his departure. "It is one of Turkey's important duties to contribute to the peace process and this will be the priority issue in my talks."
Predominantly Muslim but strictly secular Turkey believes it is in a position to facilitate peace talks between the Jewish state and the Palestinians, drawing on its close ties with both.
Ankara has also recently improved its ties with neighbouring Syria -- with which it came to the brink of war in 1998 -- and has said it is ready to negotiate between Syria and Israel if asked.
"As you know, we want Syria and Lebanon to take part in the peace process and we want to see a very comprehensive peace process," Gul replied to a question on whether Turkey could mediate between the two.
Gul is scheduled to meet Israel's President Moshe Katsav, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom on Tuesday and Palestinian leaders on Wednesday.
Gul said his trip came ahead of the January 9 Palestinian elections, which he said he hoped will be "transparent, democratic and successful."
"I believe the elections will make the Palestinians stronger in the peace process," Gul said.
Apart from Middle East peace, Gul's trip will also focus on bilateral ties between Turkey and Israel, which cooled last year after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Israeli leadership of "state terrorism" againts the Palestinians.
After his talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Gul will travel to Amman to attend a January 6 conference of Iraq's neighbours.
01/03/2005 12:20 GMT - AFP