Doha: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across various fields with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al Shaibani, who is currently visiting Ankara. During the meeting, the two ministers also stressed the need to halt Israeli attacks on Syria and to respect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Qatar News Agency, Fidan, speaking at a joint press conference with Al Shaibani, stated that Israeli attacks targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity constitute a significant threat to the country's stability. He further noted that the continued attacks by the Israeli occupation, despite the understanding reached on the Gaza agreement, demonstrate that the Israeli government does not seek peace.
Fidan emphasized that Turkiye is committed to supporting Syria and collaborating with it in various fields, particularly in the economic and security sectors, to ensure security and stability in Syria and the region. He mentioned that Ankara is working to deepen relations with Damascus and increase bilateral trade.
Al Shaibani highlighted that Damascus and Ankara have prioritized shared economic and political issues, discussing the reactivation of bilateral economic and trade agreements. He mentioned that the recent initiative by the Syrian and Turkish central banks has laid the groundwork for a new phase of cooperation. Stability and success in combating terrorism form the cornerstone of the partnership between the two countries, he said.
Al Shaibani also noted that Syria is working to extend state authority across its entire territory and eliminate the presence of any weapons outside the legal framework. He emphasized that a unified Syria free of terrorism and militias is essential to protecting the shared border between the two countries.