Turkey and Syria held a high-level meeting in Ankara on Sunday to discuss current developments and security cooperation between the two countries, especially in counter-terrorism and border control.

The Turkish side was represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, and Intelligence Chief İbrahim Kalın.

From the Syrian side, Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Sheebani, Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra, and Intelligence Chief Hussein Al-Salama attended.

Shared Security

Following the meeting, the Turkish Foreign Minister stated via X platform that Turkey does not see Syria’s security as separate from its own.

Fidan emphasized that they have been maintaining comprehensive contacts with Syria at all levels and in various fields since the Syrian people gained their freedom.

He noted that the talks held in Ankara today provided an opportunity to address the strategic dimensions of bilateral relations from all aspects.

He explained that both sides discussed possible joint steps to ensure Syria’s full security while preserving its territorial integrity, reviewing concrete plans in this regard comprehensively.

He added that the Syrian government possesses the determination and resolve needed to overcome the difficult challenges it faces.

In Syria, the Defense Minister thanked his Turkish counterpart for his tangible efforts in supporting the building of the Syrian army.

He described today’s meeting as “an important milestone to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Syrian and Turkish armies in a way that serves the interests of both countries and their brotherly peoples and contributes to consolidating security and stability in the region.”

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, relations between Ankara and Damascus have witnessed accelerated rapprochement, reflected in high-level political and security meetings aimed at enhancing joint coordination and ensuring stability along the border between the two countries.