Israel–Türkiye talks in Baku to address regional security, de-escalation

The Azerbaijani capital, Baku, will host the third round of negotiations between Israel and Türkiye, set to begin on May 8.

The upcoming talks, mediated by Azerbaijan, represent a significant escalation in diplomatic engagement between the two countries, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

This new round of discussions is expected to involve senior officials from both sides, marking a shift from the previous rounds, which were held at a lower diplomatic level and yielded minimal progress. The talks are poised to cover a broader range of strategic issues, with a particular focus on regional security concerns. Notably, the discussions are expected to address the Lebanese arena and Türkiye’s increasing involvement in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Israel is expected to present two key security demands during the talks. These include ensuring the exclusion of hostile armed groups operating near Israel's borders and preventing the deployment of strategic weaponry in Syria that could pose a threat to Israeli national security. These concerns have gained urgency following a recent incident in Syrian airspace involving both Israeli and Turkish air forces.

The first round of talks between Türkiye and Israel were held on April 9 with the mediation of Azerbaijan.

The Baku talks are seen as a crucial step toward de-escalation, with both countries seeking to establish mechanisms to manage potential conflicts and ensure greater stability in the region.

As the talks unfold, attention will be closely focused on the potential for tangible outcomes that could pave the way for improved relations between Israel and Türkiye, two key players in the Middle East with divergent interests but a shared goal of maintaining regional security.

By Vafa Guliyeva