Assad's statement on negotiations with Turkey: We will not give up any of our rights

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made statements before the People's Assembly on the occasion of the opening of the assembly's fourth legislative session.

According to Syria's official news agency SANA, Bashar al-Assad evaluated relations with Turkey during his speech there.

Stating that "the current situation is a global crisis," Assad said, "We have addressed the initiatives put forward by more than one party, namely Russia, Iran, and Iraq, regarding relations with Turkey."

Assad, who used the expression, "As long as no progress was made each passing day, damage was accumulating not only on the Syrian side but also on the Turkish side," said the following: "While dealing with these initiatives, if the intention is not harmful, we have generally acted based on our principles and interests that do not conflict between neighboring countries. Sovereignty and international law are consistent with the principles of all parties serious about repairing relations, and the fight against terrorism is a common interest of both sides."

'WE WILL NOT GIVE UP ANY OF OUR RIGHTS'

Asking, "How can we solve a problem whose real causes we cannot see?" Assad said, "To restore the relationship, the reasons that caused this relationship to deteriorate must first be eliminated, and we will not give up any of our rights."

Stating that "any negotiation process needs a reference to be relied upon to be successful," Assad said, "One of the reasons for not getting results in previous meetings is the lack of a reference. Syria constantly emphasizes that Turkey must withdraw from the lands it occupies and stop its support for terrorism."

Assad stated the following in his remarks: "The stage that Syria is currently talking about is the stage of foundations and principles, because its success forms the basis for subsequent successes. The statements of Turkish officials are baseless; our criterion is sovereignty."

WHAT HAPPENED

Erdoğan had called for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking to journalists on the plane after the 2024 European Championship quarter-final match played between Turkey and the Netherlands in Germany, Erdoğan said, "We have reached such a point that the moment Bashar al-Assad takes a step towards improving relations with Turkey, we will show that same approach towards him. Because we were not enemies with Syria yesterday; we were meeting with Assad as families."

Erdoğan had said: "We will extend our invitation; we want to bring Turkey-Syria relations to the same point as they were in the past with this invitation. Our invitation could happen at any moment. Mr. Putin has an approach regarding a meeting in Turkey. The Iraqi Prime Minister has an approach. We are talking about mediation; why shouldn't it happen with our neighbor?"