Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Iran in the highest-level talks since Syrian conflict. On Wednesday in Moscow, Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Iran’s foreign ministers held the highest-level discussions on repairing relations between Ankara and Damascus after years of antagonism during Syria’s civil war.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted that he emphasized “cooperation in the fight against terrorism and working together to establish the basis for the return of Syrians” during the discussion.
During Syria’s 12-year civil war, NATO member Turkey has supported political and armed opposition to President Bashar al-Assad and supplied soldiers to the north. In addition, it hosts almost 3.5 million refugees from its neighbor.
Cavusoglu stated “taking the political process in Syria forward and protection of Syria’s territorial integrity” were also discussed.
Syrian foreign minister Faisal Mekdad told SANA that “despite all the negatives of the past years, there is an opportunity” for Damascus and Ankara to cooperate.
Mekdad said Syria’s objective was eradicating all foreign troops’ unlawful presence, including Turkey’s.
Rival militias, including Turkish-backed jihadists, control a small area in northwest Syria.
“Without progress in this matter, we will remain stagnant and will not reach any real results,” Mekdad said.
Russia’s foreign ministry claimed a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and that the deputy foreign ministers would prepare a plan to improve Syria-Turkey relations.
Turkish and Syrian defense ministers met in Moscow in December.
Russia supports the Turkey-Assad rapprochement. Damascus’ regional isolation eased Wednesday as Assad was invited to the Arab League conference in Saudi Arabia on May 19.
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