Türkiye's President Erdogan, Syrian counterpart discuss bilateral ties, latest developments in Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday discussed bilateral relations, the current situation in Syria, and the regional issues on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

Praising Syria, Erdogan said that Damascus is taking determined steps to strengthen its unity and solidarity, as well as reconstruction and development.

He underlined that Türkiye will continue to stand by Syria throughout this process.

Syria should remain outside the conflicts in the region, Erdogan urged, adding that expanding cooperation between Ankara and Damascus in all fields, particularly defense, security, trade, energy, and transportation, would be important for Syria’s recovery efforts.

Erdogan called on the integration process in northeastern Syria to be concluded smoothly and without interruption, adding that such an outcome would benefit the entire region.

Ahmad al-Sharaa was present in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Türkiye’s southern resort city.

The talks were attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Justice and Development (AK Party) Deputy Chairman and spokesman Omer Celik, National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Communications Director Burhanettin Duran.

No further details were provided.

World leaders and senior government officials convene in Türkiye from April 17 to 19 for the fifth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, a major international gathering in the southern Mediterranean city focused this year on managing global uncertainty.

The forum, held under the auspices of Recep Tayyip Erdogan and hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, will center on the theme “Mapping Tomorrow, Managing Uncertainties.”

Anadolu is the forum’s global communications partner.