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"We will provide our Syrian brothers and sisters with the required support in the new period, as well"

Presidency of The Republic of Turkey

04.02.2025

Holding a joint press conference with Syrian President Al-Sharaa, President Erdoğan said: "As Türkiye, just as we did not leave our Syrian brothers and sisters alone in their most desperate and difficult days, we will provide them with the required support in the new period, as well."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Ahmad Al-Sharaa of the Syrian Arab Republic held a joint press conference following their meeting at the Presidential Complex.

"I am very pleased to host Mr. Ahmad Al-Sharaa, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, in Ankara. I would like to once again extend my welcome to him and his esteemed delegation in your presence," President Erdoğan said.

"I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE SYRIAN PEOPLE ON THEIR FIGHT AND VICTORY"

President Erdoğan said: "As you know, Syrian people have endured all kinds of oppression for 13.5 years, and have experienced all kinds of inhumane massacres, including the use of chemical weapons. Our nearly 1 million Syrian brothers and sisters have unfortunately fallen martyrs in the attacks of the former regime and terrorist organizations. Our millions of brothers and sisters have been forcibly displaced from their homes and native lands. However, despite all this, the brave children of Syria have never stopped fighting against the oppressive regime and its supporters, and the Syrian people finally achieved victory as of December 8. First of all, I would like to congratulate my dear brother Ahmad Al-Sharaa and the Syrian people on their fight and victory. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Allah the Almighty's mercy upon all our brothers and sisters martyrized in their fight for Syria's freedom."

"A BRAND NEW PAGE HAS OPENED IN SYRIA AND THE REGION"

President Erdoğan stated: "A brand new page has opened not only in Syria but also in the whole region after 13 years of bloodshed and suffering. The Syrian people now possess the necessary will to determine their own future. As Türkiye, just as we did not leave our Syrian brothers and sisters alone in their most desperate and difficult days, we will provide them with the required support in the new period, as well. I openly expressed this to my treasured brother and his delegation."

Describing today's historic visit as the beginning of a period of permanent friendship and cooperation between Syria and Türkiye, President Erdoğan said: "All our institutions and organizations have been working intensively for the past two months to restore our relations to their former strategic level. As is known, I already received the foreign minister of the new Syrian administration on January 15. I believe our reciprocal visits and contacts will further intensify in the upcoming period."

"WE ARE READY TO PROVIDE SYRIA WITH THE NECESSARY SUPPORT IN COUNTERING TERRORISM IN ALL ITS FORMS"

President Erdoğan continued his remarks as follows: "The basis of our policy towards our neighbor Syria has long been preserving this country's territorial integrity and unity. Today's meeting with Mr. Al-Sharaa took place in a sincere atmosphere built on this principle. With my treasured brother, we discussed the steps that can be taken to establish security and economic stability in Syria. I am pleased to see that we are on the same page on almost all issues. We particularly focused on the steps to be taken against the separatist terrorist organization, which occupies the northeast of the country, and its supporters. I told him that we are ready to provide Syria with the necessary support in countering terrorism in all its forms, including DAESH and PKK. We reaffirmed our support for them in taking under control the camps in the northeast of the country. I would like to highlight our pleasure over the strong will my brother Al-Sharaa displays in fighting terrorism."

President Erdoğan stressed: "Actually, there is no way for us other than joining forces on the path to a shared goal for the welfare of our respective countries and our region. I believe that we will make a climate of peace and security prevail in our shared region free from terror by acting in solidarity."

"WE HAVE ALWAYS STOOD WITH THE SYRIAN PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY HESITATION SINCE DAY ONE"

"Our meeting today addressed political developments, as well. In this critical period, we attach importance to the manifestation of the Syrians' national will through an inclusive and comprehensive approach. In addition to humanitarian aid, we stand ready to extend the necessary support for the reconstruction of Syria's devastated cities and critical infrastructure. Voluntary returns will gain momentum as Syria's economic development accelerates," President Erdoğan noted.

Pointing out that international sanctions on Syria block the country's recovery in terms of economy and infrastructure, President Erdoğan stated: "Due partially to our efforts aimed at the removal of the sanctions targeting the overthrown regime, some easing has been achieved, but we will maintain our efforts until we obtain a definitive outcome. We have demonstrated it through concrete steps that we have always stood with the Syrian people without any hesitation since day one."

"WE HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OUR SYRIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WILL REBUILD THEIR COUNTRY"

President Erdoğan went onto say: "We re-opened our Consulate General in Aleppo following our Embassy in Damascus. The Turkish Airlines has started flights to Damascus. We have been doing our utmost diplomatically for the past two months to help the new administration make its voice heard and its good intentions known both in the region and on the international stage. There have been visits by the new administration to our country, and many ministers and bureaucrats from Türkiye have visited and continue to visit Damascus."

Stressing that Türkiye and Syria are enhancing their relations in a multidimensional manner in all areas including trade, civil aviation, energy, health and education, President Erdoğan added: "As I always say, where there is faith, there is a way. We are the kind of people who accept and believe that every difficulty begets an opportunity. We have no doubt that our Syrian brothers and sisters, who inspire the region and innocents with their resilience, will rebuild their country. If Allah lets us live enough, we will look back in the future and see with pride what the Syrian people have achieved. Yet, the Arab and Islamic world's material and moral support for the new administration and the Syrian people in this new period is of vital importance. We consider the mutual reciprocal visits very valuable in terms of regional ownership and welcome them with pleasure."