Erdoğan Welcomes Syrian Foreign Minister in First Official Visit to Turkey
By Kardo Roj
ANKARA, Turkey (North Press) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani on Wednesday in Ankara, marking the first official visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Turkey.
The meeting signifies a pivotal moment in relations between the two countries, long strained by years of conflict and political differences.
Historic Visit
On Tuesday, al-Shibani announced the visit via a post on his official account on Platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Tomorrow, we will represent the new Syria in our first official visit to the Republic of Turkey, which has supported the Syrian people for 14 years.”
According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, Erdoğan welcomed al-Shibani at the Turkish Presidential Complex in a meeting held behind closed doors. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also attended the discussions.
Diplomatic Context
The visit underscores efforts to redefine Syria-Turkey relations as both countries navigate the complexities of post-conflict rebuilding and political normalization. Over the past decade, Turkey has hosted millions of Syrian refugees and played a critical role in regional negotiations, including those under the Astana process.
While details of the meeting remain undisclosed, analysts speculate that discussions likely included refugee policies, border security, and potential pathways for bilateral cooperation.
A New Chapter?
This high-level engagement follows months of dialogue aimed at addressing mutual concerns and fostering stability in the region. Both nations face domestic and international pressures to work towards a resolution that could benefit their political and economic landscapes.
Observers are closely watching this historic meeting, which could set the stage for future diplomatic breakthroughs between Ankara and Damascus.