Communication with Turkey needs actions — Syrian politician
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Sunday, Bassam Abu Abdullah, a leader of the Baath Party, considered that the Syrian government’s silence over Turkish statements regarding communication between Syria and Turkey is a test of the latter’s ability to match its words with deeds.
On August 11, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu revealed that he had briefly met his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad in late 2021, and he noted that Russia had been insisting, for a while, on opening channels of communication between the two countries.
A week earlier, Cavusoglu released statements, revealing that his country was ready to provide all forms of political support to the Syrian government in the context of “fighting terrorism,” as he claimed.
Erdogan also revealed, in statements, about communication between the two countries at security level.
Commenting on these statements, Abu Abdullah, a prominent leader in Baath Party in Damascus, told pro-government al-Watan newspaper that “Damascus does not have to comment on each Turkish statement.”
Any communication between the two countries needs actions and commitments, thus complex work is required, “especially since Turkey occupies Syrian areas and works with mercenary and extremist groups,” Abu Abdullah added.
Abu Abdullah claimed that Miqdad, during the short chat with Cavusoglu, stressed that Syria’s position towards Turkey is “related to its withdrawal from the occupied areas, as well as to ending its support for mercenaries.”
He went further saying that the Turkish rapprochement comes in turn for gains and interests that Turkey obtains from allies of the Syrian government (Russia and Iran).
He added that it is also related to the issue of Syrian refugees residing in Turkey, which is an important issue that Turks and the Turkish president voice concern about as presidential elections are approaching.
He pointed out that the refugees’ issue can be solved only through dialogue with the Syrian government.
The leader of Baath Party expected that developments, in this regard, will take place in the coming period, pointing out that dialogue with Turkey is important though it is difficult.