Turkish president calls for unity around Syria's reconstruction in talks with Qatari emir

On December 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met in Ankara to discuss key regional issues, particularly emphasising Syria’s reconstruction following years of war.

During the meeting, Erdogan said Türkiye stands by the Syrian people and government to protect Syria's territorial integrity, unity, and unitary structure and that the international community should cooperate in the country's reconstruction process, according to Türkiye's Directorate of Communications, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Erdogan further said that Ankara is fighting against all terrorist organisations to protect its national security and to end the instability in Syria urgently and that this fight will continue.

The president officially welcomed the Qatari emir with a ceremony at the Presidential Complex, where the two leaders held a closed-door meeting.

Tamim also visited the Turkish capital last month. During that visit, the two countries signed eight agreements.

Notably, Syria is undergoing significant changes following the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The new government is focusing on reconstruction and economic reform to address the country's extensive needs.

The new administration is shifting towards a free-market economy to attract foreign investment and stimulate growth. Plans include eliminating restrictive customs systems and allowing independent foreign currency trading, marking a departure from previous state-controlled policies. Business leaders are optimistic but await concrete actions from the Islamist-rooted administration.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir has urged Syrian refugees to return home to help rebuild the country, assuring them of religious freedom under the new regime. This appeal comes as Syria faces a challenging economic situation with a devalued currency and a lack of foreign reserves.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has emphasized the need for a smooth end to sanctions to facilitate economic support and address the country's immense needs. He highlighted the necessity of concrete movement towards an inclusive political transition to tackle the humanitarian crisis effectively.

By Khagan Isayev