President Assad to Meet President Erdogan as Key Syria-Türkiye Issues Discussed

Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. (Source: Vladimir Gerdo TASS via Kremlin)

JAKARTA - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on Monday he would meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan if the two countries could focus on the key issues of Ankara's support for "terrorism" and the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syrian territory.

"The problem is not the meeting, but its content," a video clip released by the presidential office showed Assad telling reporters in Damascus, Reuters reported on July 16.

Earlier this month, Erdogan said he would extend an invitation to Assad "at any time" for talks to restore ties.

The Turkish leader said he has always supported a united, prosperous and peaceful Syria after a just, honorable and inclusive agreement.

"What is the basis of the meeting? Is it ending the reasons for this issue, which is supporting terrorism and withdrawing from Syrian soil? This is the core of the problem," Assad said.

"If there is no discussion about the core of this (issue), what is the meaning of such a meeting?" he said.

President Assad added that he would respond positively to any initiative aimed at improving bilateral relations, but the basis for such talks must first be established.

Turkey severed ties with Syria in 2011 after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, in which Turkey supported rebels seeking to overthrow Assad. The Syrian leader considers the rebels to be terrorists.

Ankara also established a "safe zone" in northern Syria where Turkish troops are now stationed, and has carried out several cross-border military operations against militants it says threaten Turkey's national security.

The Turkish president proposed restoring ties with Damascus days after President Assad said Syria was open to all initiatives to revive Turkish-Syrian ties, "as long as they are based on respect for the sovereignty of the Syrian state over all its territory and combating all forms of terrorism."