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Syria is studying whether to join the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan on Aug. 7 and has not yet made a decision, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Friday.
Speaking to local media during an official visit to Pakistan, Shaibani said Damascus would decide on the issue later.
He also described Türkiye as a “key partner” in Syria’s reconstruction, pointing to the countries’ shared border of more than 1,000 kilometers and their historical ties.
Shaibani said Syria’s new foreign policy focuses on reconstruction, economic cooperation and strengthening relations with regional and international partners.
On possible contacts with Iran, he said Tehran must first acknowledge what it did to the Syrian people during their uprising against the Bashar Assad government.
He praised Pakistan’s role in dialogue between the U.S. and Iran but said Islamabad had so far made no proposal to mediate between Syria and Iran.
Shaibani described his visit to Pakistan as successful, saying Damascus and Islamabad agreed to reactivate their joint ministerial committee, maintain direct flights, establish a business council and organize an investment forum.
He said the two countries shared the same vision and wanted to raise bilateral relations to the highest level, adding that Syria would upgrade its diplomatic representation in Pakistan to ambassadorial level.
Shaibani arrived in Pakistan on Wednesday at the head of a high-level delegation, marking the first official visit by a Syrian foreign minister to the country in 19 years.
On relations with Israel, Shaibani said it was “far too early” to discuss any strategic agreement and that Syria’s first priority was ending Israeli attacks.
“Syria is a sovereign state,” he said, adding that Israel should not dictate Damascus’ alliances or partnerships.
He said Syria would continue focusing on reconstruction, economic cooperation and stronger ties with regional and international partners.
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