JERUSALEM, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will visit Turkey next week to advance the peace talks between Israel and Syria, a government spokesman told Xinhua on Thursday.

    According to the spokesman, Mark Regev, Olmert will meet Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Monday. The two leaders will discuss various issues, including the Israeli-Syrian peace talks and the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

    Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Olmert spoke with Erdogan on the phone on Wednesday night, and the two decided to meet on Monday to discuss "bilateral and regional issues including the diplomatic processes in the region."

    Turkey has been mediating peace talks between Israel and Syria, but Israeli lawmakers have repeatedly stated that the talks should be put on hold until a new government is formed after the February parliamentary election.

    Before the election, Olmert, who is eager to show progress in the diplomatic process with Syria before his term in office comes to an end, will remain in power as caretaker premier.

    Four rounds of Turkey-brokered negotiations between Israel and Syria have been carried out since the three sides confirmed in mid-May the renewal of the peace process. Yet a fifth round, originally planned in September, has been on hold due to Israel's political turmoil.

    Earlier Thursday, local daily Ha'aretz reported on its website that Defense Minister Ehud Barak has said that he is working to advance peace talks with Syria.

    "I am taking action to advance peace in the real world, not in an imaginary one. I am active more than anyone else in trying to reach peace with Syria," said Barak in a special interview with Ha'aretz.

    He was currently working together with Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi and Military Intelligence head Amos Yadlin to advance peace talks with Syria, added the defense minister.