Paris , France ( CNN ) -- Syrian President Bashar Assad says peace talks with Israel could resume if the Jewish state showed willingness to fully engage in the process . `` This peace process can not only be relaunched by one party . Syria wants peace and we have a mediator , Turkey , which is ready to use its mediation role as well as the European partnership . What we are missing is the Israeli partnership , and we need it in order to renew peace talks and obtain results , '' Assad told reporters . Assad traveled to France , sat down with President Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday for a one-hour lunch , and held a press briefing , where he blamed Israel for the stalled talks with Syria . Turkey recently had mediated indirect talks between Israel and Syria , neighboring countries that have been adversaries for years . Among their many differences are Israel 's occupation of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six Day War and Syria 's ties with Iran and anti-Israel militants . His visit to Paris comes days after the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu . Questioned on Netanyahu 's statement that Israel was ready to relaunch peace talks Syria without pre-conditions , Assad emphasized that if Israel is serious about talks , Syria is ready to send experts to Turkey and begin discussions with Israeli experts . Asked if he was ready to meet Netanyahu in person at some point without conditions , Assad did n't say he would or would n't , but said it would depend on the subject of the discussion . `` Are we talking about the menu or about land restitution ? We must talk about territory restitution . For this matter , mechanisms and a framework exist . The negotiators know the mechanisms . It is neither me nor Netanyahu , '' he said . Asked about the role of France in the peace process , Assad said he hopes France backs the relaunch of the peace negotiations through Turkey and persuades Israel to accept this mediation process . As for the peace process in the wider Middle East , he said it will only work if Israel stops tearing down the other side 's rights and demands . Assad said he and Sarkozy discussed living conditions in the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory of Gaza -- reeling from the ongoing conflict with Israel , including the fierce Israeli offensive against militants that began late last year after constant rocket attacks on Israel by Gaza guerrillas . Saying a civilian was shot on Friday by Israeli troops , Assad said he asked Sarkozy to stop violence against civilians in the territory . Israel Defense Forces and Gaza security sources both confirmed an incident , but the sides had different accounts . The IDF said soldiers identified a number of suspected terror operatives who appeared to be planting explosive devices adjacent to the northern Gaza security fence near `` the Karni humanitarian crossing . '' The soldiers opened fire and identified hitting two of the suspects -- one of which was transferred to an Israeli hospital ; the other operative died of his wounds . Three other suspects were taken for questioning . The Palestinian security sources said a special force opened fire on a number of youths near the border fence with Israel in central Gaza . One of the youths was killed and four others were taken by the Israeli soldiers . Assad said he and Sarkozy also discussed Iran 's nuclear program and Lebanon . Journalist Claire Boube contributed to this report .
Turkey mediated indirect talks between Israel and Syria , neighboring countries that have been adversaries for years . Syrian President Bashar Assad : We need Israel partnership in order to renew peace talks and obtain results . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu : I don't want a partner who is hostile towards me or my country. Assad said he and Sarkozy also discussed Iran 's nuclear program and Lebanon .