Report: New phase in relations between Syria and Turkey

The Turkish daily Millet said on Wednesday that the Turkish press' non-publication of confessions made by Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK), on the relations between his party and Syria is an indication of a new phase in relations with Syria.

The Turkish daily noted statements made by Syrian Minister of Information Muhammad Salman in which he stressed the need to treat disputes over water between Syria and Turkey after questions relating to the PKK and security matters were settled and the minister's statements that Damascus wants to sign a new agreement on the distribution of water.

The paper added that, "The Syrian official, simultaneously, says that Israel has to stop putting its fingers in the Turkish-Syrian relations," adding that Turkey has to reconsider its relations with Israel.

The Turkish daily went on that Damascus seeks to improve its economic and trade relations with Turkey and asks for convening bilateral relations between the foreign ministers of the two countries and tripartite meetings between the Turkish, Syrian and Iranian officials.