Bashar al-Assad responds to Erdoğan's meeting request: 'We view it positively'

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has responded to the meeting request from AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Bashar al-Assad cast his vote for the general elections in Syria at a polling station in Damascus.

Responding to a question regarding the meeting request from AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Assad said, "As we have said many times, we view any initiative aimed at improving relations positively, and this is natural."

According to SANA, Assad stated in his remarks, "No one thinks about creating problems with their neighbors, but this does not mean we should act outside the rules."

WHAT HAPPENED?

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

Speaking to journalists on the plane after the 2024 European Championship quarter-final match between Turkey and the Netherlands in Germany, Erdoğan said, "We have reached such a point that the moment Bashar al-Assad takes a step toward improving relations with Turkey, we will show that same approach toward 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 they were in the past. Our invitation could happen at any moment. There is an approach from Mr. Putin regarding a meeting in Turkey. There is an approach from the Iraqi Prime Minister. We are talking about mediation; why shouldn't it happen with our neighbor?"

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, meanwhile, made assessments regarding relations with Syria during a joint press conference with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.

In his statement, Fidan said, "The region has now reached a climate that seeks peace and stability. The spirit of the times compels us to seek peace and stability. Therefore, our President has used his leadership vision to make a call for peace at the highest level. This is an extremely valuable call. I hope they understand its value. This is not a position born of any desperation or weakness."

Arguing that "this call was made as a reflection of Erdoğan's vision for peace," Fidan assessed, "This call is an important one. Our recommendation is that this call be taken into consideration."

News Source: 12punto