Ankara, Turkey – Turkish and British officials are set to meet in Ankara on Monday to discuss the future of Syria, focusing on security, sanctions, and economic development, a Turkish foreign ministry source confirmed on Sunday. The meeting will be led by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and British junior Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer.
Turkey Pushes for Sanctions Relief and Reconstruction
Turkey, a key backer of opposition forces during Syria’s civil war, has since aligned itself with the new administration in Damascus and is taking an active role in rebuilding the war-torn country. Turkish officials have pledged to assist in training and equipping Syria’s security forces, as well as restoring key infrastructure.
Ankara is expected to urge the unconditional lifting of international sanctions on Syria to facilitate economic recovery and reconstruction. The UK, which announced last month that it would adapt its Syria sanctions regime following Assad’s fall, has maintained that asset freezes and travel bans will remain in place for members of the former government.
Geopolitical Tensions Over Syria’s Future
The talks come amid growing geopolitical maneuvering over Syria’s post-Assad future. A recent Reuters report revealed that Israel is lobbying the United States to ensure Syria remains weak and decentralized, partly by allowing Russia to maintain its military presence in the country. This move is seen as a way to counter Turkey’s rising influence in Syria.
Turkey, on the other hand, is advocating for strong international support for the new Syrian government and national reconciliation efforts. Additionally, Turkish officials plan to condemn Israel’s actions, which they say violate Syria’s sovereignty.
Turkey Begins Infrastructure Repairs in Syria
In a sign of Ankara’s commitment to Syria’s recovery, Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced on Sunday that Turkey has completed an initial phase of repairs at Damascus airport. The effort includes installing new equipment and maintenance work aimed at restoring Syria’s key transportation hub.
