Syria, Turkey hold first talks since PKK crisis

ANKARA [MENL] -- Syria and Turkey are holding their first talks on cooperation since last year's crisis in which Ankara massed troops along the Syrian border in its attempt to stop Damascus's aid to Kurdish separatists.

Envoys from both countries met in Damascus as part of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Transportation Commission. The meeting began on Monday and will end on Wednesday.

The Syrian News Agency said the delegations are discussing technical aspects of transportation, including security and border cooperation.

The talks were the first since Ankara massed troops along the Syrian border in a successful attempt to oust Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan from Damascus. Ocalan was arrested earlier this year and is scheduled to go to trial.