Minister of Family and Social Services Göktaş also visited the Life Melody Orphanage, the new settlement of children under state care and protection in Damascus. During the visit, Göktaş was accompanied by his Syrian counterpart Hind Kabavat and Türkiye's Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz.
The two ministers made a press statement after the orphanage visit and the handover of the children to Syrian authorities. Stating that the biggest victims of wars are women and children, Göktaş stated that Türkiye stood by the Syrian people during the war.
Göktaş made the following statements regarding the voluntary return process of children who are under protection and care in Türkiye and have family ties in Syria:
"After the social examination, we entrusted our 3 girls and 4 boys to the Syrian state within the scope of repatriation. They have family ties here. In this context, we started a voluntary repatriation process in terms of social services."
Emphasizing that the environment a child needs most is a loving family environment, Göktaş stated that they aim to reunite Syrian children with family ties with their families. Göktaş said, "We wholeheartedly believe that a peaceful, happy future awaits them. We will always continue to work for the best benefit of our children."
Stating that the main priority of the Ministry of Family and Social Services is to ensure that children grow up in loving and safe environments, Göktaş noted that the return process of children was initiated with the stabilization of Syria and the development of relations between the two countries. Göktaş stated that cooperation will continue in many areas within the scope of the memorandum of understanding signed between Türkiye and Syria, and that returns based on volunteerism will continue, considering the best interests of the children.
Stating that other groups of children will gradually return to Syria after the completion of the necessary social review processes, Göktaş said, "Works for women, children, disabled people and the elderly will also be developed together with the Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor." Göktaş said, "Türkiye sends many greetings. We will always continue to stand by the Syrian people."
Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabavat also pointed out the importance of the work to protect families and children in the cooperation between Turkey and Syria, and said that the reconstruction process is not just about the reconstruction of buildings, but that people come before stone and concrete. Kabavat expressed his satisfaction with the first visit of a female Minister from Türkiye to Syria and stated that they were happy to host Göktaş in the country. Reminding that Türkiye hosted millions of Syrians during the years of war and crisis in Syria, Kabavat thanked Türkiye for its support and hosting during this process. Kabavat said, "We are neighbors, we have a common history. Hopefully, we will also have a common future. We wish to create an environment where we can learn from each other." he said.
