Turkish, French presidents discuss Syria, bilateral ties in phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephone conversation on Tuesday, focusing on bilateral relations and key regional issues, particularly the situation in Syria.

The Turkish Communications Directorate announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the leaders discussed "Türkiye-France bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues."

https://twitter.com/Communications/status/1869343183001247799

Turkish Communications Directorate's statement on XA cook works as women sit in a restaurant in Damascus, on December 17, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)Employees prepare food at a restaurant in Damascus, on December 17, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)A man bakes at a restaurant in Damascus, on December 17, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)A man dressed in a Christmas outfit holds the flag of the Syrian revolution at a market in Damascus, on December 17, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP)

President Erdogan praises France's embassy reopening in Syria

During the call, President Erdogan welcomed France's recent decision to reopen its embassy in Syria, describing it as a "positive step for international engagement in the region," according to the Turkish Communications Directorate.

Türkiye had also reopened its embassy in Damascus following the fall of the Assad regime on Dec. 8, marking a significant shift in diplomatic relations with Syria.

A member of the French military stands guard outside the French Embassy building in Damascus on December 17, 2024, in preparation for the arrival of the French diplomatic mission. - A French delegation arrived on December 17, at the country's embassy in Damascus, an AFP correspondent said, the first visit of diplomats from France since Bashar al-Assad's ouster by Islamist-led rebels. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)French military personnel remove a wrecked car from outside the French Embassy building in Damascus on December 17, 2024, in preparation for the arrival of the French diplomatic mission. - A French delegation arrived on December 17, at the country's embassy in Damascus, an AFP correspondent said, the first visit of diplomats from France since Bashar al-Assad's ouster by Islamist-led rebels. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)A member of the French military stands guard during a visit by a French delegation to the French Embassy building in Damascus on December 17, 2024. - A French delegation arrived on December 17, at the country's embassy in Damascus, an AFP correspondent said, the first visit of diplomats from France since Bashar al-Assad's ouster by Islamist-led rebels. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)French military personnel stand guard outside the French Embassy building in Damascus on December 17, 2024, during a visit by a French diplomatic mission. - A French delegation arrived on December 17, at the country's embassy in Damascus, an AFP correspondent said, the first visit of diplomats from France since Bashar al-Assad's ouster by Islamist-led rebels. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

Focus on Syria's sovereignty and refugee return

The two leaders addressed the importance of safeguarding "Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty" in the post-Assad era. Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to these principles and highlighted efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

He called for "international collaboration" to establish sustainable conditions for refugees and to support essential "reconstruction and revitalization efforts" in Syria.

December 18, 2024 03:18 PM GMT+03:00