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Israeli and Syrian ministers meet in US-brokered talks for first time in 25 years
Druze from Syria and Israel protest on the Israeli-Syrian border, in Majdal Shams in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. AP
Senior ministers from Israel and Syria convened in Paris on Thursday for a four-hour meeting facilitated by the U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack. These talks mark the first high-level official engagement between the two nations in over 25 years. The discussions primarily focused on de-escalating tensions and reaching security understandings in southern Syria, according to reports in the Times of Israel.
Key takeaways from the meeting:
* **De-escalation of tensions:** The primary objective of the meeting was to reduce tensions between Israel and Syria. The discussions aimed to address recent sectarian violence and security concerns, with both parties expressing a commitment to finding common ground. This follows reports from Saudi media on Tuesday that Israel and Syria had resumed dialogue on security matters.
* **US mediation:** The United States played a crucial role in brokering the talks, with U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack overseeing the discussions. Barrack confirmed that he met with Syrian and Israeli officials in Paris. His involvement underscores the U.S.'s effort to stabilize the region and foster dialogue between the two countries, despite recent criticisms of Israel's intervention in Syria, where Barrack called it poorly timed and complicating stabilization efforts, according to PBS News.
* **Security understandings in southern Syria:** A key focus of the meeting was to establish security understandings in southern Syria. This is particularly important for maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria and preventing further conflict. The talks also addressed the issue of Israeli incursions into Syrian border areas, with the aim of finding ways to prevent conflict and reduce these incursions, as per Reuters. * **High-level engagement after decades:** This meeting represents the most significant diplomatic engagement between Israel and Syria in over two decades. Given the historical lack of diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries, the meeting signals a potential shift in relations, driven by the new Syrian authorities' openness to peace and upholding the 1974 ceasefire agreement, according to Al Jazeera.
The meeting also touched on broader regional issues, including the upcoming Iranian nuclear programme, as reported by The Jerusalem Post. While the talks are currently focused on joint security, they represent a critical step toward addressing long-standing issues and promoting stability in the region.
Looking ahead, the ongoing dialogue may pave the way for further discussions and agreements aimed at resolving the complex challenges facing Israel and Syria. The international community will be closely watching these developments, as they could have significant implications for the broader West Asia, according to the Times of Israel.
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