Restoring neighborly relations

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has just stated that he does not rule out the possibility of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad aimed at restoring bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

Turkey severed ties with the Damascus government after the conflict erupted in Syria in 2011. Turkey has conducted several cross-border military operations against militants it considers a threat to national security, and has established a “safe zone” in northern Syria where Turkish troops are stationed. However, Turkey has indicated it may restore relations with Syria if progress is made in the fight against terrorism, the voluntary repatriation, and the safety of millions of Syrian refugees in Turkey.

Syrian state media reported that during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad affirmed "Syria's openness to all initiatives related to relations between Syria and Turkey, based on the sovereignty of the Syrian state over its territories." The Russian envoy stated that "the current circumstances seem more favorable than ever for successful reconciliation, and Russia is ready to make efforts to promote negotiations to restore relations between Syria and Turkey."

When asked by reporters about President Bashar al-Assad's statement that his government was ready to welcome initiatives to normalize relations with Turkey, President Erdogan said that Ankara and Damascus could act to restore relations. He also affirmed that Turkey had no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs. Reuters commented that Turkey is trying to mend relations with Syria as its government faces increasing domestic pressure to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees, amid a severe economic downturn and a rising wave of anti-refugee sentiment.

VIET LE

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/khoi-phuc-quan-he-lang-gieng-post747007.html