Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan went to Damascus, the capital of Syria, as part of his official visit.
Fidan was welcomed by his Syrian counterpart Assad Hasan Shaybani at Damascus International Airport.
After the meeting with Shaybani, Foreign Minister Fidan met with Syrian President Ahmed Shara.
“OUR RELATIONS WITH SYRIA GAINED MOMENTUM IN TWO YEARS”
Hakan Fidan and Syrian Esad Hasan Şeybani made statements at the joint press conference.
Thanking his Syrian counterpart Şeybani and his friends for their hospitality, Fidan emphasized that the relations between Syria and Türkiye have gained incredible momentum in the last two years.
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN WILL ALSO PAY A VISIT TO SYRIA
Stating that President Erdoğan is planning a visit to Syria soon, Fidan emphasized that today they reviewed the work that the high planning group could do before Erdoğan's visit, and that the visit is also important in this respect.
“WE FIND THE TERMINATION OF SDF IMPORTANT”
Fidan described the SDF's self-dissolution and the step taken towards integration into Syria's state institutions as "an important initiative" and said:
"It is an important constructive response to the constructive work carried out by the Syrian government. Hopefully, we expect this to be translated into practice and concluded without wasting time in the field. This declaration phase is important, but of course it needs to be implemented. The integration of all armed elements in the country under the central state structure is essential for strengthening Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and social unity. Not only the SDF, but as you know, all the armed groups left over from a war period are being united one by one under the national army. This is important for the stability of the country. "It is important for bringing investment to the country, it is important for the national structure of the country to be strong, it is important for all citizens in the country to feel confident. We hope that the integration process will end in the best possible way."
TITLES ON THE TABLE
During the talks within the scope of Fidan's visit, he is expected to make a comprehensive evaluation of the multifaceted efforts supported by Türkiye to establish an environment of permanent stability, peace and prosperity in Syria, and the bilateral relations, which have made significant progress since the overthrow of the old regime.
Fidan, who is expected to reiterate Türkiye's will to further strengthen the institutional framework and legal basis of the ongoing cooperation with Syria in many areas including trade, energy, transportation and connectivity, and to share his evaluations especially regarding regional connectivity projects, is expected to discuss the developments regarding the integration process in Syria, which is of close concern to Türkiye, especially the dissolution of the SDF, and to emphasize the importance of timely implementation of the decisions taken on this issue.
Minister Fidan is expected to exchange views on strengthening the state authority in Syria on an inclusive basis and ensuring that all components of the Syrian society, including Turkmens, contribute to the unity and prosperity of the country on the basis of equal citizenship.
Fidan, who is expected to express that Türkiye will continue to support Syria's territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty, strengthening its state institutions, accelerating its economic recovery and re-establishing regional connections, as well as the construction of a country where its people can live in peace and prosperity, is expected to discuss the situation in the south of Syria and the steps that can be taken together with the international community in the face of Israel's aggression, which increasingly threatens the security and stability in Syria.
