Turkish Foreign Ministry: We Will Continue to Provide Unconditional Support to Syria Within the Framework of Bilateral Agreements

Turkey renewed its call for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, affirming that it will continue to provide unconditional support to Syria in the many areas it needs in the new phase, within the framework of mutual agreements between the two countries.

Anadolu Agency quoted Turkish Foreign Ministry sources as saying today that Syria has entered a new phase with the fall of the former regime.

It added The Syrian people are attempting to heal the wounds of the 14-year conflict, while also carrying out a political transition to determine their future under Syrian leadership.

The sources emphasized the importance of supporting the Syrian government’s steps to integrate into the regional and international community, and its efforts to achieve security, stability, and prosperity in the country.

They noted that the only way to rid Syria and the region of the threat of instability is through greater support and greater engagement, including the lifting of sanctions facing the country.

The sources noted that Turkey made significant efforts to develop communication and mutual understanding between the countries of the region and the Syrian administration in the period following the fall of the regime.

The sources stated, “These efforts continued through contacts and meetings that included other key partners, including the United States, and supported further communication between the international community and the Syrian government.”

They added, “The backbone of Turkish policy toward Syria is achieving national reconciliation by protecting the country’s unity and territorial integrity, establishing security and stability in the country by purging it of terrorist elements, and ensuring Syria’s reconstruction through the lifting of sanctions.”

The sources indicated that Turkey has adopted a position of unconditional support for the Syrian administration and people, who have seized the historic opportunity to achieve these goals.

According to the sources, preserving the unity and territorial integrity of Syria is a key priority for the new Syrian administration, as it is for Turkey.

The sources stressed the importance of protecting the country’s unity under a central administration and granting equal citizenship rights to all Syrian components, as outlined in the Constitutional Declaration.

They explained that Turkey does not accept any initiative that targets Syria’s territorial integrity, undermines its sovereignty, allows individuals outside the central authority to bear arms in Syria, or guarantees the continued presence of terrorist organizations.

The sources added, “Syria may choose to enter into an agreement with any country if it sees a problem threatening its security,” and emphasized that “Turkey is capable of supporting Syria in many areas it needs within the framework of mutual agreements.”

In this context, the sources said that Ankara is open to addressing any issue that would serve bilateral cooperation with Syria, based on its security assessments and threats in the region.

They noted that, as a result of Turkey’s repeated initiatives, significant progress has been made in easing sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom on Syria, and in providing exemptions from sanctions.

The sources stressed that multifaceted efforts are ongoing to lift these sanctions, which targeted the former regime.