A new phase of relations between Syria and Turkey

The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post said in its Sunday's issue that at the time when the level of confrontation between the Palestinians and the Israelis are escalated Syria and Turkey are preparing to start a new phase of normalizing bilateral relations.

The paper added that President Bashar al-Assad will send next week his vice president Abdul halim Khaddam to Ankara to deliver the Turkish President Ahmad Najdat Ceasar a message stressing Damascus determination to open a new page and to strengthening relations with Turkey.

The paper added that the Turkish ambassador in Damascus will accompany Khaddam in his visit.

The paper also quoted a high ranking official at the Turkish foreign ministry as saying that the request for this visit came from Syria, stressing hat Turkey welcomes initiatives which bear the tiles of " peace and normalization."

The paper also quoted another official at the Turkish foreign ministry as saying that Khaddam will meet during this visit with the Turkish President, prime minister and the foreign minister, noting that the Syrian official is carrying a message from President al-Assad proposing to maintain cooperation in the region to settle the current crisis.

The Jerusalem Post added that the surprising visit made by the Turkish President Ahmad Ceasar to Damascus to attend the funeral of the late President Hafez al-Assad had a great effect on the Syrian side.

The paper continued, according to these sources that Khaddam's visit to Ankara will pave the way for a possible visit to be carried out by President Bashar al-Assad to Turkey, noting to the musical evening to be held by the " Syrian symphony orchestra in Adanah ( Turkey) next week.