MOSCOW: Foreign ministers from Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Iran gathered in Moscow on Wednesday for a landmark meeting aimed at rebuilding relations between Ankara and Damascus and advancing the political process in Syria.
The talks mark the highest-level engagement between Turkey and Syria since the start of the civil war.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu emphasized the importance of cooperation in the fight against terrorism and working together to create conditions for the return of Syrians in his tweet following the meeting.
As a NATO member, Turkey has been a staunch supporter of the political and armed opposition against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad throughout the 12-year-long conflict. Turkey has also deployed its own military forces in northern Syria and has provided refuge to more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees.
During the meeting, discussions were held on advancing the political process in Syria and safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity, according to Cavusoglu.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad acknowledged the opportunity for cooperation between Damascus and Ankara despite the challenges of the past years. However, Mekdad stressed that the priority for Syria is the removal of all foreign military forces from its territory, including those of Turkey.
The northwestern region of Syria, which is currently under the control of various militias, was a focal point of the discussions. Mekdad emphasized that progress on this matter is essential for achieving tangible results and moving forward.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the atmosphere of the meeting as positive and constructive. Deputy foreign ministers from the participating countries have been assigned the task of preparing a roadmap to further advance Syria-Turkey relations. This follows the talks held between Syrian and Turkish defense ministers in Moscow in December.
Syria’s president invited to attend Arab League summit
Russia, as the main ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has been instrumental in encouraging reconciliation between Turkey and Syria. In a significant development, Assad has been invited to attend the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia on May 19, signaling a thaw in the regional isolation of Damascus.
The meeting in Moscow reflects a growing momentum toward diplomatic engagement and cooperation among key regional stakeholders in an effort to resolve the long-standing Syrian conflict and address the challenges posed by terrorism and the displacement of Syrian civilians.
