Assad Discusses Syrian-Turkish Normalization Process With Iranian Foreign Minister

On March 9, President Bashar al-Assad discussed the ongoing Turkish-Syrian normalization process with Iranian foreign minister Hussein Amir Abdollahia.

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in Damascus coming from Ankara on a solidarity visit after the February 6 Turkish-Syrian earthquakes, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people in both countries.

During the meeting, President Assad welcomes Iran’s participation in the normalization talks affirming that there should be good preparations for them based on an agenda, titles, specified and clear outcomes.

“The interests of the Syrian people are the basis in any political steps adopted by the state,” the president affirmed, adding that the outcome should be within these interates.

Damascus reportedly wants Turkey to gradually withdraw all of its forces from Syrian territory, especially the northwestern region of Greater Idlib. It is also looking for cooperation against terrorist groups, like al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.

From his part, Abdollahian reaffirmed Iran’s keenness on supporting the Syrian people, unity and territorial integrity, saying that his country has full confidence in the Syrian stances and decisions and it will back these stances in the quartet meetings.

During Abdollahian’s visit to Ankara, it was announced that the deputy foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey, Syria and Iran will hold a technical meeting in Moscow next week.

The normalization talks between Ankara and Damascus gained momentum last December, when the defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of the two countries met in Moscow. The participation of Iran, a key ally of Damascus, in the talks has been already welcomed by Ankara.

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