04.02.2025 08:00
The Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Shara, is coming to Ankara today as a guest of President Erdoğan. During this visit, which will be the first at the presidential level from Syria since 2011, many topics will be discussed, primarily the fight against terrorism, and a joint cabinet meeting will be held for the first time in 16 years.
Ahmed al-Shara, the leader of the opposition forces that overthrew the 61-year Baath regime in Syria, is coming to Ankara today as the Transitional President of the Syrian Arab Republic, invited by President Erdoğan.
MANY PRINCIPLES TO BE SIGNED AFTER 2011
During the first presidential-level visit from Syria since 2011, many agreements will be signed. The final shape of the reports prepared by various institutions on the Turkish side and the roadmap developed with Syrian officials since the early days of the revolution will be given during the Erdoğan-Shara meeting. After the leaders' meeting, inter-ministerial discussions will take place. A joint cabinet meeting between Syria and Turkey was held in October 2009. This meeting is also described as a type of "joint cabinet meeting."
WHAT'S IN SHARA'S BAG?
According to a report by Türkiye newspaper, Shara's bag contains topics such as the PKK, ISIS terrorism, and Israeli occupation, along with a new constitution, political and economic stability, reconstruction of the country, establishment of military and police structures, national integrity, opening of maritime, land, and air transportation channels, communication, education, agriculture, and the establishment of a new defense-security doctrine. It is expected that some critical agreements will be signed during the meeting of the two leaders, initiating the operational process.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN WORTH 100 BILLION DOLLARS
The Shara administration has initially prepared an emergency action plan worth 100 billion dollars. In the second phase, there will be a restructuring file related to the reconstruction of the country worth 300 billion dollars, addressing needs such as minimum defense, security, military, and public order.
Shara will officially invite President Erdoğan to Damascus. It is stated that Erdoğan will pay a reciprocal visit before the month of Ramadan. Another critical importance of the Ankara summit will be to bring to the highest level issues such as the elimination of the PKK, the transfer of occupied oil and gas wells to the central government, the withdrawal of US troops from the region, and the transfer of existing bases by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK). Meanwhile, if the determined agenda is implemented, Ankara-Damascus relations will gain a dimension similar to the "two states, one nation" formula, as seen in Turkey's example with Azerbaijan.