The integration of all armed groups in Syria under the central state structure is essential to strengthening the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and social unity, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Sunday.
Speaking at a joint news conference with his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al Shaibani in Damascus, Fidan said relations between Türkiye and Syria have gained significant momentum over the past two years.
He said Syria had made a new beginning in its relations with Türkiye and the wider world following the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime, arguing that the new period has contributed to regional stability, economic development and the fight against terrorism.
Fidan said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, instructed officials to establish a joint planning group to advance bilateral issues.
He also said Erdogan is planning a visit to Syria in the near future, adding that officials reviewed preparations ahead of the visit.
YPG-dominated SDF integration
Fidan described steps taken by the YPG-dominated SDF terror group towards dissolving itself and integrating into Syrian state institutions as an “important initiative” and a constructive response to the Syrian government's efforts.
“We hope this will be translated into practice on the ground without wasting time and brought to a conclusion,” he said. “The declaration stage is important, but naturally it needs to be implemented.”
“The integration of all armed elements in the country under the central state structure is essential for strengthening Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity and social unity,” Fidan said.
He noted that the process extends beyond the SDF, saying armed groups left over from the war are being brought together under a national army.
“This is important for the country's stability, for attracting investment, for strengthening the country's national structure and for ensuring that all citizens feel secure,” he said.
Fidan also stressed the importance of equal citizenship, saying Syrians should be able to live freely without discrimination or persecution based on their faith or ethnic identity.
“The aim of the integration process is for our Kurdish brothers and sisters to feel safer, freer and more prosperous than before. This is also Türkiye's perspective,” he added.
Economic ties, connectivity
Fidan pointed to progress in Syria's international reintegration, citing the US decision to remove the country from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and the International Atomic Energy Agency's closure of Syria's nuclear file.
Recalling Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat's visit to Damascus and Aleppo with a business delegation in August, Fidan said Türkiye and Syria aim to increase mutual investments and raise bilateral trade volume to $10 billion in the medium term.
He also highlighted Syria's potential role in regional connectivity, saying the country could link the Gulf through Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the east through Iraq and Europe through Türkiye.
Fidan said Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Syria are working on a railway project aimed at connecting the Gulf with Europe.
He added that Turkish businesses, particularly industrial companies in the textile sector, are showing strong interest in investing in Syria.
