Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Ankara, SANA – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed Wednesday that Syria’s relations with regional countries, including Turkey, “have witnessed significant progress in recent months” despite attempts by certain parties to stir conspiracies.
At a joint press conference with Syrian counterpart Hasan Al-Shaibani in Ankara, Fidan said that Turkey “is working with Syria to find solutions to the problems facing it at this stage, with the aim of developing all sectors, particularly economy”.
The Turkish minister referred to “Israeli efforts to weaken Syria and create an atmosphere of chaos in the country” stressing that these attempts are “unacceptable since they will affect all the countries of the whole region” and Turkey supports Syria’s independence, sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.
Optimism about finding Solutions
Fidan also expressed optimism to “find radical solutions to all the problems facing Syria, provided that there is no interference in its internal affairs” especially of those seeking to spread chaos.
The Turkish minister indicated that his country is keen to establish “strategic relations with Syria and calls for support for the Syrian state in its efforts to build New Syria that serves the interests of the Syrian people, across all spectrums”.
Fidan said that Turkey stresses the importance of “preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and ensuring that the rights of all components of the Syrian people are protected, but this cannot be achieved through weapons, threats to others, or occupation of territory”.
Al-Shibani: Syria faces Serious Challenges
For his part Foreign Minister al-Shaibani explained that “Syria is going through a critical stage after years of war that have affected all sectors of the country” stressing that the future cannot be addressed without acknowledging the destruction and suffering inflicted on millions of Syrians during the era of the defunct regime.
Al-Shaibani added that Syria continues to face “serious challenges, including Israeli interventions and aggression”, which threaten stability in the region, saying that Syria also “faces external attempts to impose division and spread chaos within the country”.
The Minister Al-Shaibani pointed out that the Syrian government has worked to restore stability nationwide and launched key public services despite existing difficulties and affirmed the government readiness to cooperate “with any partnership that respects the unity and territorial integrity of Syria”.
Sweida is an integral part of Syria
About the discussions with Fidan, Al-Shaibani said that both sides discussed avenues for political cooperation and security coordination and Syria’s welcome of the gradual return of refugees to their hometowns.
“Sweida is an integral part of Syria and its people are part of the social fabric of the Syrian people, we do not accept their exclusion or marginalization, and that what happened was fabricated by Israel to sow sectarian strife in the region” Al-Shaibani added.
Minister Al-Shaibani reaffirmed the Syrian State’s commitment to holding accountable all perpetrators of violations in Sweida and elsewhere, and that it is the Syrian State that guarantees the protection of all its citizens” calling for wisdom to overcome this ordeal.
Al-Shaibani said that the conference recently held in Hasakah, “does not represent the Syrian people”. The conference attempted to “exploit the events in Sweida”, he added and violates the agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions.
Adnan/Manar/Abdul
