Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Syria soon as relations between Ankara and Damascus continue to gain momentum, Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al Shaibani in Damascus on Sunday, Fidan said ties between the two neighbours had developed significantly over the past two years.
“A visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Syria is planned in the near future,” Fidan said.
The Turkish foreign minister stressed Ankara's support for a stable and inclusive Syria, saying all Syrians should be able to express themselves on the basis of equal citizenship without facing discrimination over their religious or ethnic identities.
Commenting on discussions surrounding the YPG-dominated SDF, Fidan underlined the importance of an inclusive political framework that safeguards the rights of all Syrians.
Fidan also addressed reports that Turkish-language teaching would be removed from Syrian schools. He said Shaibani had assured the Turkish delegation there was no obstacle to Turkish being offered as an elective subject.
Israeli policies biggest obstacle
Fidan said Syria was offering hope for the region after years of conflict but warned that Israel's actions threatened the country's stability and recovery.
“At a time when there is a Syria that gives hope to the world, there is one party seeking to destabilise it, and that is Israel,” he said.
Fidan said Türkiye was closely monitoring developments in southern Syria and was aware of Israel's role in instability there.
He described Israeli policies as the most serious obstacle to Syria's positive trajectory, accusing Israel of pursuing policies centred on violence rather than regional stability.
The remarks come as Ankara and Damascus deepen diplomatic engagement and cooperation, with Erdogan's planned visit potentially marking another significant step in strengthening ties between the neighbouring countries.
