Newsletters
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Thursday that a Syria "free of terror and militia elements" and unified under central authority offers the strongest guarantee for protecting its shared border with Türkiye, as he held a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara.
Shaibani separately met Türkiye's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, later Thursday to discuss bilateral ties, SDF integration, counterterrorism cooperation and developments in Lebanon, according to Turkish security sources cited by Anadolu Agency (AA).
Shaibani said Israel continues to carry out attacks on southern Syria and stated that Damascus condemns them.
He said Israel's attacks target Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity while also threatening regional stability.
"We reiterate our call for a return to the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and for Israel's withdrawal to the lines that existed before Dec. 8, 2024," Shaibani said.
"We call on the international community to apply international law and to contribute to preserving the stability of Syria and the region," he added.
Shaibani said efforts to establish stability in northern Syria are ongoing, and that diplomatic initiatives to halt Israel's attacks in southern Syria continue.
On the U.S.-Israel-Iran war, Shaibani said conflicts in the region need to stop as soon as possible.
He said regional tensions are also affecting Syria and stated that Damascus condemns Iran's attacks on Gulf countries.
Shaibani pointed to the importance of establishing a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) between Türkiye and Syria to address shared issues and cooperation across different fields, saying joint commercial and economic matters are among the priority topics.
He said the revival of economic and trade agreements, along with a recent step taken between the two countries' central banks, forms an important foundation for economic and financial activity.
On the planned Türkiye-Syria-Jordan-Saudi Arabia rail line, Shaibani said: "This line will serve as a bridge between all these countries, Türkiye, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, geographically and economically, and it will also make us stronger diplomatically."
Shaibani said Damascus and Ankara recognize that stability on the ground and lasting success against terrorism are among the cornerstones of their partnership, noting that steps are being taken to end unlawful armed structures as part of strengthening state authority in Syria.
"This is the greatest investment in the security of a neighbor," Shaibani said.
"A unified Syria, free of terror and militia elements, constitutes the strongest security wall for protecting our shared borders (with Türkiye)."
He said Damascus is coordinating with Ankara in line with shared national interests on this front and called on regional countries to strengthen security, military and political coordination.
Separately Thursday, Kalin met Shaibani in Ankara.
The talks covered Türkiye-Syria relations and areas of cooperation, relations with neighboring countries, regional stability, recent developments in Lebanon and Syria-Lebanon relations, according to Turkish security sources cited by AA.
The two sides also discussed the potential implications for Syria of Türkiye's proposed "Bill on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion."
Kalin and Shaibani reviewed progress in the integration process of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and ways to strengthen counterterrorism cooperation, the sources said.
They emphasized that constructive steps are being taken to ensure the SDF integration process in Syria is completed successfully.
The meeting also underscored that the Syrian government continues to effectively combat the Daesh terrorist group as part of efforts to ensure stability in the country.
The two sides further discussed the political and economic repercussions of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war on the region, as well as the latest status of sanctions on Syria and investment in the country.
The meeting also highlighted Syria's efforts to stay outside the recent conflicts and wars in the region, with the sources noting that Syria and its people, having recently experienced the destructive effects of conflict and war, have shown a peaceful posture toward the region, particularly neighboring countries, in the interest of establishing regional stability.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
6 min read
