Syrian President Discusses with Turkish Foreign Minister Strengthening Relations and Recent Developments

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa received Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Damascus yesterday, in the presence of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchanged views on recent regional developments, while reaffirming the importance of continuing coordination and consultation to serve shared interests and support security and stability in the region.

According to the Turkish news agency Anadolu, the meeting is part of an official two-day visit by Fidan to Syria, during which al-Shaibani welcomed him upon his arrival at Damascus International Airport.

Before meeting al-Sharaa, Fidan held talks with al-Shaibani focusing on enhancing bilateral ties, activating the High Joint Committee between the two countries, and regional developments. Speaking at a joint press conference in Damascus after the talks, al-Shaibani said he had discussed with Fidan the activation of the High Joint Committee, adding that Damascus aims to raise bilateral trade volume from around $4 billion to $10 billion.

For his part, Fidan announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to visit Syria “in the near future,” noting that relations between the two countries have gained significant momentum over the past two years.

Fidan’s visit comes days after he met with al-Shaibani in the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday, where they discussed enhancing bilateral relations, developments within the Higher Coordination Council between the two countries, and regional developments.