Turkish and Syrian Foreign Ministers Discuss Strengthening Relations and Activating Joint High Committee in Ankara

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held talks with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaybani, to explore ways to strengthen bilateral relations and activate the High Joint Commission between the two countries.

Anadolu Agency, the Turkish news agency, quoted sources in the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday evening stating that Fidan met with al-Shaybani in Ankara, noting that the discussions focused on ways to enhance bilateral ties between the two nations.

Turkey and Syria are seeking to activate the High Joint Commission, which will oversee the coordination of political, diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation tracks, as well as issues related to energy, the return of refugees, education, and culture, according to previous statements by al-Shaybani.

On September 13, al-Shaybani said during a joint press conference with Fidan in Damascus that the commission is based on co-presidency, regular periodic meetings, and a permanent secretariat to follow up on decisions, supported by specialized sectoral committees.

In a related development, Anadolu cited Turkish security sources as saying that Turkish Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director Ibrahim Kalin had earlier met with al-Shaybani to discuss bilateral relations and areas of joint cooperation.

The sources added that the two sides also discussed developments following the dissolution of the Democratic Union Party (PYD)-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), referred to as QSD, and ways to continue coordination in combating terrorist organizations, foremost among them the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), as well as relations with neighboring countries and regional stability.

According to the agency, the two sides also addressed the ongoing Israeli military attacks in southern Syria, and discussed the impact of the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and its contribution to enhancing Syria’s defensive capabilities.