In 2371, he was contacted by Bareil Antos, who proposed a treaty between Bajor and the Union. The two developed a good relationship and efforts to negotiate a treaty moved quickly. Bareil and Kai Winn Adami were on their way to meet Turrel, when their transport was damaged and Bareil severely injured. Winn sent a coded message to Turrel, inviting him to negotiations on Deep Space 9.

Winn proved to be not as an adept negotiator as Bareil, something which Turrel took advantage of. The issues raised included the release of Bajoran prisoners to which Turrel told her there that there were no "official" Bajoran prisoners, except those detained in the Ministry of Justice for crimes against the state. Turrel also proposed war reparations that the Cardassians would pay if all Cardassian equipment and property left behind on Bajor was returned. Bareil had already rejected this, as it was dealt with in the armistice of 2367.