Turkish, French leaders discuss Syrian refugee return, regional stability during phone talk

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and French President Emmanuel Macron have held a phone talk, discussing bilateral relations and key regional matters, with a particular focus on Syria. 

The conversation covered the Türkiye-France relations as well as important regional and global issues, the Turkish Communications Directorate shared on X, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

Erdogan expressed his support for "France's decision to reopen its embassy in Syria," calling it a positive step toward fostering international involvement in the region, according to the directorate.

Türkiye had also reopened its embassy in Damascus, Syria's capital, following the December 8 downfall of the Assad regime. The leaders also discussed "Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty" in the post-Assad period, with Erdogan emphasising the need to uphold both principles.

He highlighted ongoing efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, urging the "international community" to "cooperate" in creating "sustainable conditions" for their stay and to support essential "reconstruction and improvement" efforts in Syria.

During the Syrian civil war, Türkiye hosted around 4 million Syrians, more than any other country globally. Bashar Assad, who had led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime forces seized control of Damascus on December 8, marking the end of the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

The takeover occurred after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters captured key cities in a swift offensive that lasted less than two weeks.

By Naila Huseynova