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Under the auspices of the United States, senior Israeli and Syrian officials met in Paris and held “productive discussions,” according to the U.S. State Department.
“President Donald J. Trump’s leadership in the Middle East enabled productive discussions, centered on respect for Syria’s sovereignty and stability, Israel’s security, and prosperity for both countries,” the State Department said in a joint statement.
It added that Israel and Syria reaffirmed their commitment to strive toward achieving lasting security and stability arrangements for both countries.
Israel and Syria have decided to establish a joint fusion mechanism—a dedicated communication cell—to facilitate immediate and ongoing coordination on their intelligence sharing, military de-escalation, diplomatic engagement, and commercial opportunities under the supervision of the United States. This mechanism will serve as a platform to address any disputes promptly and work to prevent misunderstandings, according to the State Department.
“The United States commends these positive steps and remains committed to supporting the implementation of these understandings, as part of broader efforts to achieve enduring peace in the Middle East. When sovereign nations cooperate in a respectful and productive way, prosperity will be unleashed,” the State Department said in a joint statement which it said “reflects the spirit of today’s great meeting and the Sides’ determination to turn a new page in their relations for the benefit of future generations.”
The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the talks mainly focused on relaunching the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which would ensure Israeli withdrawal to the pre–December 8, 2024 border.