Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers discuss security cooperation

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan engaged in a telephone discussion with Syria's Foreign Minister Hassan al-Shaibani on Friday, continuing diplomatic momentum from recent high-level security talks. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, the ministers reviewed progress on issues addressed during last weekend's security meeting between officials from both nations in Ankara.

Building on Recent High-Level Meetings

The phone conversation follows a significant security cooperation meeting held in Ankara last week that brought together top defense and intelligence officials from both countries. The Turkish delegation included National Defense Minister Yasar Guler and National Intelligence Organization head Ibrahim Kalin, while the Syrian side was represented by Foreign Minister Shaibani, Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, and intelligence chief Hussein al-Salame.

Shared Security Vision

Following last week's meeting, Minister Fidan emphasized the interconnected nature of Turkish-Syrian security interests, stating, "We do not see Syria's security as separate from Türkiye's." He reaffirmed Türkiye's commitment to "provide all kinds of support to our Syrian brothers" in preserving Syria's territorial integrity and stability. Both parties had agreed to enhance cooperation to protect Syria's security gains during the Ankara talks.

Ongoing Diplomatic Engagement

The continued diplomatic contact between the foreign ministers indicates sustained efforts to advance the agreements reached during the security summit. This ongoing dialogue represents a significant development in Turkish-Syrian relations, focusing on practical security cooperation between the neighboring nations after years of strained relations.