British News Agency

Syrian Foreign Minister Esad Hasan Sheibani, speaking at a joint press conference in Damascus with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan, welcomed Minister Fidan and the Turkish delegation and said that the frequent meetings between the two countries demonstrate the pace of the partnership and the level reached by strategic cooperation.

Noting that Türkiye was one of the first countries to support Syria in its new period, Sheibani said, “Since Syria’s liberation, since 2024, and within the framework of Syria’s new course and transformation, the Republic of Türkiye was among the first countries to open its doors and its embassy in Syria, in Damascus, and provide its support.”

Sheibani said Türkiye had made efforts on international platforms to alleviate the hardships faced by the Syrian people and to lift sanctions, adding that this support would not be forgotten.

Sheibani said numerous high-level meetings had recently taken place between Ankara and Damascus, dozens of meetings had been held at presidential and ministerial levels, around 40 agreements and goodwill memoranda had been signed, and reciprocal delegations had met many times.

Sheibani said, “This shows that our relationship has reached a depth that has never been seen before.”

Noting that energy and electricity are among the important issues that directly affect the lives of citizens of both countries, Sheibani highlighted the importance of the connections established between Aleppo and Gaziantep and cooperation between the Bab al-Hawa and Selam border crossings.

Sheibani said Türkiye provides various forms of support to Syria in the energy, electricity, infrastructure and services sectors, adding that around 70,000 Syrians have returned from Türkiye to their country.

Sheibani said the goal is to activate the Joint High Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries, adding that cooperation within the council will cover political, diplomatic, economic and security fields, as well as energy, education, culture and return-related issues.

Sheibani said the council will operate periodically and will have a general secretariat to follow up on decisions taken, while numerous technical committees and subcommittees will also be established.

Sheibani said a comprehensive strategy covering gas, electricity and water connections will be discussed in the energy field and that the goal is to increase the volume of trade between the two countries.

Sheibani said, “We aim to increase last year’s trade exchange, which exceeded 4 billion dollars, to 10 billion dollars.”

Sheibani said work will be carried out to develop partnerships in production and establish joint industrial zones, especially in border areas, while comprehensive projects covering work, housing and employment will be prepared regarding returns.

Sheibani also said reopening Syria’s embassy in Ankara is on the agenda and is one of the priority issues.

Sheibani said strategic cooperation with Türkiye should continue with regional developments taken into consideration.

Sheibani said Israel occasionally commits violations in southern Syria, attacks villages and damages property, adding that these attacks target the Syrian state.

Sheibani said, “This is clearly, unfortunately, a result of the weakness and fragmentation of our region.”

Stating that Syria’s position in the face of the attacks has not changed, Sheibani said they remain committed to the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces. He called on Israel to withdraw from the areas it entered after December 8, 2024.

Sheibani said they value Türkiye’s position against Israeli attacks and that Ankara supports Syria through its stance in favor of implementing the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces.

Sheibani said Syria has set out its own national roadmap based on its sovereignty and is making investments in line with its development goals, adding that the country’s reconstruction process is continuing.

Sheibani said the reopening of embassies by various countries and the return of Syrian families to their country are among the indicators of this process.

Sheibani said they want to move diplomatic relations with Türkiye into a broader and more institutional framework and thanked Fidan for his visit.

Responding at the press conference to a journalist’s question about the future of Türkiye-Syria relations and the areas of work of the consultation and coordination mechanism, Sheibani said work with the Turkish Foreign Ministry is “at an extremely advanced level.”

Sheibani said relations should also advance in different areas in parallel with diplomatic developments and that cooperation between Türkiye and Syria should be accelerated.

Noting that Türkiye and Syria share a long border and many common elements connecting the two countries, Sheibani recalled that Türkiye opened its doors to Syrians during the war.

Sheibani said Syrians living in Türkiye will be an important factor in strengthening relations between the two countries in the future, adding, “All this political will, this interest and this desire must be transformed into laws and regulations and put into effect. It will not remain only in the media; we will also see its impact on our citizens.”

Sheibani said attacks targeting Syria’s stability have not broken the country’s will in the reconstruction process.

Noting that Syria is making major efforts toward reconstruction and rebuilding, Sheibani said the attacks he says are carried out by Israel are continuing.

Assessing the attack on Abu Zuhur Base in this context, Sheibani said, “However, the targeting of this base was an attack that had no legal basis or legitimacy whatsoever and showed no respect for others.”

Sheibani emphasized that Israeli attacks have not harmed Türkiye-Syria relations, saying, “Our relations are moving to a better point; everyone can see that.”

Sheibani called on the international community to support Syria, urged an end to the attacks he said are carried out by Israel, and called for withdrawal from the areas entered after December 8.

Sheibani said ensuring Syria’s security and stability will have a positive impact on the region as a whole, stressing that international law must be respected and Syria must be given the opportunity to continue its reconstruction process.