Erdoğan and Shara hold press conference after 3-hour meeting: We are advancing our relations in a multidimensional way

The meeting between jihadist HTS leader Ahmed Shara and President Erdoğan has concluded.

The plane carrying Ahmed Shara, President of the Syrian Transitional Government, who was appointed after the overthrow of the 61-year-old Baath regime in Syria, landed at Ankara Esenboğa Airport around 16:00.

The meeting between Shara and Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex ended after approximately 3 hours.

A press conference was held after the meeting!

Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

-Thousands of our brothers were martyred. Millions of our brothers were forced to leave their lands. However, they never gave up the struggle, and victory belonged to the Syrian people. I pray to Almighty Allah for mercy upon all our brothers who were martyred in Syria's struggle for freedom. A new page has been turned in our entire region. The Syrian people now have the necessary will to determine their own future. We will provide the necessary support in the new era as well.

-I view today's historic visit as the beginning of lasting friendship and cooperation between our countries. I had also received the Foreign Minister of the new government on January 15. I believe that our mutual contacts will intensify even further in the coming period.

-We specifically discussed the terrorist organizations that keep northeastern Syria under occupation. We confirmed that we stand with them regarding the control of camps in northeastern Syria. I appreciate the efforts made by brother Shara regarding the fight against terrorism. We have no other path but to join forces.

-In this critical process, we attach importance to the establishment of an administration that reflects the will of the Syrians. We are ready to provide the necessary infrastructure for the reconstruction of critical facilities. Voluntary returns will also gain momentum.

-Sanctions against Syria pose an obstacle to the country's economic recovery. With the efforts we have made for the lifting of sanctions, a partial easing has been achieved. From the very first day, we have shown that we stand by the Syrian people. We have also put our Consulate General in Aleppo into operation. Turkish Airlines has started flights to Damascus. We are doing our best to ensure that their voice and sincere intentions are heard.

-We are advancing our relations in all areas in a multidimensional way. As I always say, where there is faith, there is a way. We are also people who believe that there is ease with every hardship. We have no doubt that our Syrian brothers will rebuild their country. In this process, it is very important for the Arab and Islamic world to provide material and moral support to the new administration and the Syrian people. We find mutual visits important for regional ownership.

Highlights from Shara's statements are as follows:

-We attach importance to the integrity of Syrian territory. We share a common geography with Turkey; our culture is the same, our social spheres are the same. Let us cooperate in all areas and set out our major strategic goals in a way that will contribute to the security and stability of both countries. Especially in northeastern Syria, pressure on Israel must be increased. We will revitalize trade with Turkey. We want Syria to progress in a way that will help its economic development. We want this cooperation to be successfully completed. I invite the President to Syria from here.