Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa made his first visit to Turkey on February 4, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking at a joint press conference with al-Sharaa in Ankara, Erdogan described the visit as a “historic” step toward the beginning of a period of “lasting friendship and cooperation” between the two countries.
“We never abandoned our Syrian sisters and brothers in their hardest times, and we will continue to support them in this new period,” the Turkish president said.
“Being of historic importance, I see this visit today as the start of a new era of eternal friendship and cooperation. All of our institutions have been working tirelessly to rebuild our relationship to a strategic level,” he added.
Erdogan expressed confidence in Syria’s ability to rebuild itself and said:
“We have no doubt that our Syrian sisters and brothers, who inspire the region with their resilience, will rebuild their country.”
The president also said that Turkey was ready to assist in reconstructing devastated Syrian cities, adding that he believes accelerating economic recovery will encourage the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
In addition, Erdogan highlighted progress in multidimensional relations, including trade, civil aviation, energy, health, and education.
“Besides humanitarian aid to Syria’s devastated landscape, we are also ready to support the rebuilding of critical infrastructure. As Syria’s economic recovery gains momentum, so will the voluntary returns gain traction. On the other hand, a series of international sanctions against Syria present an obstacle to the economic and infrastructural recovery efforts. Türkiye’s efforts to lift these sanctions that were intended to target the Assad regime have provided flexibility. However, we will continue to pursue lifting these sanctions until the job is complete,” the president said.
He also called for financial and moral support from the Arab and Islamic world for Syria’s new administration and people, describing it as “crucial.”
With regard to terrorism, Erdogan pledged Turkey’s support in Syria’s fight against both ISIS and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party.
“Be it Daesh or PKK, I have reiterated our support to Syria in combating terrorism in camps located in northeastern Syria to him (Al-Sharaa). I would like to express my satisfaction on my brother Ahmad Al-Sharaa’s strong will in combating terrorism,” said the president.
“By acting in solidarity with Syria, I believe we will fully establish a climate of peace and security in our shared region, free from terrorism,” he added.
From his side, al-Sharaa highlighted the importance of deepening the partnership between Syria and Turkey.
“We affirm the transformation of our relationship with Türkiye into a deep strategic partnership in all fields,” the president said.
He also revealed that the next phase in the relations between the two countries will focus on “boosting trade exchanges and joint investments, particularly in infrastructure reconstruction projects, aiming to achieve economic recovery and to support a better future for both countries.”
“We appreciate His Excellency President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his strong commitment and efforts to foster cooperation in order to ensure the success of the transitional phase, bringing security and stability to the region,” said the Syrian president.
He also confirmed that “the Syrian revolution and Türkiye’s engagement with it—despite the challenging circumstances faced by the Turkish leadership and people—have strengthened bilateral relations.”
“Türkiye’s continued support remains evident through its ongoing efforts to ensure the success of Syria’s current leadership both politically and economically while safeguarding the independence, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria,” al-Sharaa added.
Ahead of the visit, Reuters reported that the Syrian and Turkish leaders were expected to discuss a joint defense pact.
The pact could see Turkey establish new air bases in Syria, use Syrian airspace for military purposes, and take a lead role in training troops in Syria’s new army, the news agency said, citing Syrian and foreign sources. The possible air base locations were the Palmyra military airport and the Syrian army’s T4 base, both in the governorate of Homs.
The report was not surprising as Turkey played a key role in supporting the Syrian revolution which ended with the fall of the Assad regime last December in an offensive led by al-Sharaa himself. Ankara is expected to become one of the closest allies of future Syria. The talks in Ankara are just the start.
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syria is thus a colony of turkey not a free country
exactly, and even iraq is at risk. who actually informed netanyahu about the location of the weapons? probably iraqis, because they don’t want wahhabi gangs cutting their iraqi throats again. putler collected money from bin salman (mabus). together mabus and putler smuggled oil.
so if erdogan’s gang of scorpions attacks iraqi frogs will the traitor putler defend the scorpions if the frogs happen to drive them back?
do you still remember the armenian genocide? why do you think the armenian genocide cannot happen again? why do you think putler won’t defend al qaeda if al qaeda attacks iraq?
erdoğan 💪🏼
russia allies be carefull cause they talk to much but the true is another thing
out of sirya for good
this terrorist gang doesn’t even dare to call elections
the oil thieves are running away from syria with their tails up their aass. the kurdish dogs are fracked. i told you so. yippee ke yay modder frackers. sultan erdogan will open military, air bases, control syria’s air space and will expel israelis from syrian soil. türkiye wins again.