President Erdogan Doesn't Put Aside The Possibility Of Meeting President Assad, Restore Turkey-Syria Relations?

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday he had not ruled out the possibility of a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to help restore bilateral relations between the two countries.

When asked by reporters about President Assad's statement that his government was open to normalization initiatives, as long as they respected Syria's sovereignty and contributed to countering terrorism, President Erdogan said Ankara and Damascus could act to restore relations.

"There is no reason not to," Erdogan said, adding Turkey had no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs.

"As we have maintained our close relationship in the past, we have even held talks between our family and President Assad, of course it is impossible (to say) this will not happen again in the future, this could happen," he said after Friday prayers.

Syrian officials have repeatedly said that any step towards normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara could only be carried out after Turkey agreed to withdraw thousands of troops that had been stationed in the northwestern territory controlled by the rebels.

Turkey cut ties with Syria after the Syrian civil war in 2011, supporting rebels seeking to overthrow President Assad.

Turkey has carried out several cross-border military operations against militants which it says threatens its national security and establishes a "safe zone" in northern Syria, where Turkish forces are now stationed.

However, amid a regional charm attack aimed primarily at normalizing relations with Gulf countries, Turkey also said it would restore relations with Damascus if there was progress in the fight against terrorism, in safe and voluntary repatriation for the millions of refugees Accommodated by Turkey and in political proceedings.

In April 2023, defense ministers and intelligence chiefs Iran, Russia, Syria, and Turkey held talks, as part of efforts to rebuild Turkey-Suriah relations after years of hostility.