ISTANBUL - High ranking officials of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iran, and Egypt convened on Thursday prior to the ''Regional Initiative-Foreign Minister Meeting'' which will be hosted by Turkey aiming to solve Iraqi problem through peaceful means.
The meeting started at 10.15 local time. Delegation, led by Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan, represents Turkey at the meeting.
The meeting takes place closed to the press.
The participants will exchange views for the solution of Iraqi problem through peaceful means. Also the draft of the joint statement, which will be presented to the foreign ministers, will be formed.
Delegations, participating in High Ranking Officials Meeting will re-convene after lunch. It was reported that nearly 90 people from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Jordan, and Egypt participated in the meeting.
A total of 214 journalists were accredited to cover the meeting. A total of 142 of them are Turkish and the rest are foreigners.
Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz, responding to the questions of reporters, pointed out that the message which will be issued from the meeting would be determined beyond discussion of draft text.
Dirioz said place of the next meeting could be determined in today's sessions.
Foreign Ministers meeting is expected to start at 17.30 local time today.