Türkiye has once again conditioned the withdrawal of its forces from northern Syria on the implementation of several measures related to the adoption of a comprehensive constitution, the holding of free elections, the full restoration of relations, and the implementation of arrangements to ensure the security of the common borders, through mutual coordination.
Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Monday that Ankara and Damascus may hold meetings at the ministerial level, as part of efforts aimed at normalizing relations, if the conditions are suitable.
An official in the Turkish Ministry of Defense also said that communications with Damascus are taking place on more than one level.
In response to a question by Reuters on the possibility of a Turkish pullout from Syria, Guler said: “We are ready to provide all the support we can for a comprehensive constitution to be accepted, for free elections to be held, and for a comprehensive normalization and security atmosphere to be created, and only when these are done and the security of our border is fully ensured will we do what is necessary through mutual coordination.”
Diplomatic sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Guler’s statements reflected the Turkish position and confirmed the path to normalize relations with Syria.
The sources added that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is maintaining his contacts, under the directives of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to draw up a roadmap for the upcoming meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
All matters can be discussed at the negotiating table without preconditions, the sources noted.
Last month, Erdogan said that he would extend an invitation to Assad to discuss restoring relations between the two countries to what they were before 2011. The Syrian president replied that such talks can only be held within the framework of Syria’s sovereignty, emphasizing the need to focus on fundamental issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Syria.
