Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa to discuss political transition and reconstruction efforts in Syria post-Assad. The leaders called for the lifting of international sanctions and stressed the importance of unity and stability. They also highlighted the need to protect minority rights and draft a new constitution for the country.
On Sunday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. This meeting followed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement of Fidan’s visit aimed at facilitating a political transition and reconstruction in Syria after the regime change from Bashar al-Assad. During the discussions, both leaders emphasized the importance of unity and stability in Syria, advocating for the lifting of international sanctions on the country.
Photos released by the Turkish ministry depicted Fidan and al-Sharaa warmly greeting each other, a gesture signifying a thawing of relations. At a joint press conference, Fidan expressed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Syria during this transformative period, stating, “Hopefully the darkest days of Syria are behind [and] better days await us.” He stressed that sanctions should be lifted to assist Syria’s recovery and facilitate the return of displaced persons.
Al-Sharaa echoed the call for the removal of sanctions, declaring it an appropriate time for international support, as the oppressive regime had been ousted. He argued that, with the previous regime removed, the effects of long-standing sanctions only serve to punish the victims of the conflict. The leaders also deliberated over drafting a new constitution for Syria that would protect minorities, alongside addressing challenges such as the rights of Kurdish populations.
The backdrop of this meeting involves a brutal 13-year civil war in Syria that initiated in 2011 and has since led to extensive loss of life and a refugee crisis. Turkish support for opposition groups seeking to overthrow Assad has been a consistent policy, but Fidan’s visit indicates a shift towards nurturing a functioning state and normalizing relations with the new administration.
Al-Sharaa’s government is under scrutiny regarding its treatment of religious and ethnic minorities. He met with Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who advocated for a new beginning in Syrian-Lebanese relations post-Assad. Al-Sharaa assured that all religious and ethnic groups would be fairly represented in the government, aiming to create a more inclusive political landscape in Syria after years of conflict.
The backdrop of these discussions is a decade-long conflict in Syria that began as a peaceful uprising against Bashar al-Assad’s regime but escalated into a full-scale civil war involving numerous domestic and international actors. The conflict has led to significant humanitarian crises and vast displacement, prompting calls for political reform and recovery efforts. As of now, with a new leadership structure in place, the focus has shifted towards rebuilding the war-torn nation and restoring stability, along with addressing the complex matters of governance and minority rights.
In summary, the meeting between Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa represents a pivotal moment in Syrian politics following the ousting of Assad’s regime. Both parties are advocating for the lifting of sanctions to facilitate recovery and stability in Syria. The ongoing discussions reflect a commitment to developing an inclusive political framework that considers the needs of minorities as the country navigates its path forward after years of conflict.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
