Erdogan: There Are No Reasons Not to Establish Diplomatic Relations

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, commenting on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's statements regarding the normalization of relations between Syria and Turkey, stated that there are no reasons for not establishing diplomatic relations between the countries. According to him, Ankara does not intend to interfere in Damascus's internal affairs.

On Wednesday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced that Syria is open to all initiatives related to its relations with Turkey, based on respect for Syria's sovereignty. Earlier, a source in the Syrian security forces told RIA Novosti that a crossing point separating areas controlled by pro-Turkish groups and territories controlled by the Syrian authorities began operating in test mode on Thursday, and it is expected to fully open on July 1.

“There are no reasons for not establishing diplomatic relations. We will work together on the development of relations with Syria as we have done in the past. We can never have a problem or aim to interfere in Syria’s internal affairs,” the Turkish President told reporters today.

Earlier, the Turkish newspaper Aydınlık, citing its sources, reported that military delegations from Turkey and Syria have been negotiating at the Khmeimim airbase with the mediation of Russia, with the next meeting expected in Baghdad. As Alexander Lavrentiev, the Special Representative of the Russian President for Syria, stated in an interview with RIA Novosti, Moscow has conveyed a draft roadmap for the normalization of relations between Ankara and Damascus, noting that they can make adjustments.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had previously highlighted priority topics in roadmaps, including the restoration of the Syrian government's control over the entire territory of the country, ensuring security along the Turkish-Syrian border, excluding the possibility of cross-border attacks, and preventing the infiltration of terrorists.