Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Director İbrahim Kalın paid a working visit to Syria’s capital, Damascus, on Monday, according to sources from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
As part of the visit, the senior Turkish delegation is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials. The talks are aimed at taking stock of Türkiye–Syria relations over the past year, with a comprehensive review of political, economic and security cooperation following the first anniversary of the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime.
Diplomatic sources said discussions will focus on the implementation process of the March 10 agreement, which is closely tied to Türkiye’s national security concerns. The meetings are also expected to address emerging security challenges in southern Syria, particularly in light of Israel’s recent actions in the region.
Counterterrorism cooperation will be another key item on the agenda. With Syria’s recent accession to the International Coalition to Defeat Daesh (ICDC), both sides are expected to discuss joint efforts to prevent the resurgence of the Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group, which continues to seek opportunities amid potential instability on the ground.
Beyond security issues, the talks will cover ongoing and planned bilateral projects related to Syria’s reconstruction, as well as initiatives aimed at strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the Syrian government.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz, who has been appointed as Türkiye’s ambassador to Damascus, is also accompanying the delegation during the visit.
Since the fall of the Assad regime one year ago, Türkiye–Syria relations have gained renewed momentum across multiple fields. Officials note that significant opportunities for bilateral and regional cooperation have emerged, particularly in security coordination and economic engagement.
Türkiye has emphasized its commitment to supporting Syria’s recovery after nearly 15 years of conflict, while also seeking to ensure that new cooperation frameworks contribute to lasting stability and security in a manner that serves the interests of both countries.
Foreign Minister Fidan previously paid his first post-Assad visit to Syria on Dec. 22, 2024. Since then, high-level contacts have continued in a positive atmosphere, including meetings held in a “3+3” format involving the foreign, defense and intelligence chiefs of both countries.
Within this framework, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani visited Türkiye on Jan. 15 with a senior delegation, holding talks with Fidan, Güler and Kalın. A follow-up working visit by the Turkish trio to Damascus took place on March 13, while another meeting focused on security cooperation and current regional developments was held in Ankara on Oct. 12 with participation from both sides.
Kaynak: Newstimehub
