Erdoğan-Julani meeting: “We are in complete consensus”
Featured image: TC-President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Complex. Following the meeting, Erdoğan and Sharaa held a joint press conference; Source: Anadolu Agency
We hereby publish an unofficial translation of an article by Yeni Demokrasi:
Erdoğan hosted Julani at the palace. In the joint press conference held after the meeting, Rojava was the main agenda topic, and Erdoğan said, “I would like to express our satisfaction with the strong will shown by my brother Ahmed al-Sharaa in the struggle against terrorism.”
Muhammed Julani, the leader of the jihadist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) gang, who seized power in Syria after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime and appointed himself President of Syria, met with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
Following the meeting, Erdoğan and Julani held a joint press conference. Erdoğan said, “I see today’s historic visit as the beginning of a period of permanent friendship and cooperation between our countries. All of our institutions and organizations have been working hard for the last two months to bring our relations back to a strategic level. As you know, I also received the foreign minister of the new government on January 15. I believe that our mutual visits and contacts will intensify even more in the upcoming period.”
“WE ARE IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON EVERY ISSUE”
Stating that they are in complete agreement with Julani on almost every issue, Erdoğan said that they discussed the steps to be taken towards Rojava.
“I expressed to him that we are ready to provide the necessary support to Syria in the struggle against all forms of terrorism, whether ISIS or PKK. We reaffirmed that we are with them in terms of controlling the camps in northeastern Syria. I would like to express our satisfaction for the strong will shown by my brother Ahmed al-Sharaa in the struggle against terrorism,” said Erdoğan, underlining that they will join forces with Julani towards the same goal.
“WE ARE READY TO PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORT FOR RECONSTRUCTION”
Stating that they are ready to “provide the necessary support for the reconstruction” of Syria, Erdoğan said, “As Syria’s economic development accelerates, voluntary returns will also gain momentum.” Erdoğan said, “We are advancing our relations in a multidimensional manner in all areas, from trade to civil aviation, from energy to health and education.”
JULANI: WE HAVE ADDRESSED THE THREATS IN NORTHEAST SYRIA
HTS leader Julani stated that they will establish a “deep strategic partnership” with Turkey in every field, and said, “In this direction, we have initiated our joint cooperation in humanitarian, economic, cultural and social fields. We are also working together on other major strategic issues, especially to create a joint strategy to combat security threats in the region. These efforts aim to ensure sustainable security and stability for Syria and Turkey. At the meeting, we discussed threats that hinder the territorial integrity of northeastern Syria.”
Julani also said that they will strengthen the trade and investment partnership between the two countries, especially in the field of infrastructure renewal. Julani said that he was honored to invite Erdoğan to visit Syria as soon as possible.
