No Progress on Damascus-Ankara Reconciliation, Says Assad

Russia, Iran, and Iraq, as mediators, have made sincere attempts to reconcile Syria and Turkey, but there is no progress in this initiative, stated Bashar al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic, during a speech at the new session of the People's Council.

Assad emphasized that whenever agreements are reached, they are announced through a joint declaration, which serves as the foundation for joint relations and includes negotiations, dismissing the application of double standards by either side.

“Turkey's statements that Syria is not ready for negotiations until Turkish forces withdraw from Syrian territory are incorrect. It is important that we have clear phases, and any initiative must be based on sovereignty,” said Assad.