Türkiye set to push for lifting sanctions on Syria at Riyadh meeting

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to call for the lifting of sanctions on Syria in key areas during the international meeting on Syria scheduled for January 12 in Riyadh, according to a source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry speaking to Russian media, per Caliber.Az.

"Minister Fidan is expected to express support for expanding the scope of exemptions from anti-Syrian sanctions and lifting them in vital sectors during the meeting, which will primarily focus on steps to ensure stability and security in Syria. He will also emphasize the importance of taking systematic and consistent actions to rebuild Syria, without slowing down the pace of implementation," the source said.

Furthermore, the Turkish Foreign Minister plans to reiterate that an essential element in achieving Syria's reconstruction is "respect for the principle of territorial integrity and unity" of the Arab Republic.

Fidan also intends to remind the participants that Türkiye will take all necessary measures against any separatist terrorist organization that may attempt to exploit the current situation in Syria for its own benefit. This organization is traditionally understood to be the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its Syrian offshoots, which Ankara has classified as terrorist.

Earlier, Fidan emphasized at a press conference in Istanbul that Türkiye will continue to support the territorial integrity and unity of neighboring Syria.

"Türkiye will support Syria's territorial unity and integrity. Another priority for Türkiye in 2025 will be to rid Syria of terrorism," the minister said.

Ankara has already begun supporting Syria's reconstruction, and there is no hidden agenda behind its actions, he noted.

"The Syrian people are facing many significant challenges, particularly in the area of rebuilding the country. We have swiftly begun supporting our neighbor's reconstruction and development through our agencies. I want to emphasize again that Türkiye's foreign policy is based on peace, cooperation, solidarity, and prosperity. Türkiye does not have any territorial claims over any country and has no hidden agenda," Fidan added.

By Tamilla Hasanova