Quartet meets in Moscow to resolve outstanding differences between Ankara and Damascus
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar is to meet his Syrian, Russian and Iranian counterparts in Moscow on Tuesday, amid efforts to rebuild ties between Ankara and Damascus after years of hostility during the Syrian war.
According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, the minister said the heads of the countries’ intelligence agencies will also take part in the Moscow meeting.
Akar said in a press statement on Monday that the trilateral meeting, which took place on December 28 between the Ministers of Defense and the Intelligence Chiefs of Turkey, Russia and Syria, resulted in the emphasis on the continuation of the meetings, and that “the efforts exerted after that meeting resulted in an agreement on Iran’s joining these meetings.”
Ankara expects “positive developments” after the upcoming meeting, he said, adding that “our goal is to resolve the problems here through negotiations and to ensure peace and tranquility in the region as soon as possible.”
These efforts come in light of Syria’s conditions for the resumption of relations between the two countries. The first is the withdrawal of the Turkish army from areas in northern Syria and the cessation of support for armed groups that Damascus describes as terrorist.
Despite Ankara’s differences with Damascus over supporting opposition factions, both sides view U.S. support for Kurdish factions with concern, so it is in both countries’ interests to get rid of the growing Kurdish influence.
Akar reiterated that Turkey would continue to pursue the terrorists firmly.
“We do not want a new wave of refugees and aim to create the appropriate conditions for Syrians to return to their homes in a safe and dignified manner,” he said.
“In addition to that, there are our Syrian brothers who are working with us, whether in Turkey or inside Syria, and we cannot take any decision that would put them in a dilemma,” he said.
Preparations are also underway for a meeting between the foreign ministers of Turkey, Russia, Syria and Iran. Earlier this month, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Moscow had informed Ankara of the possibility of such a meeting in early May, and that the date process was under way.
Senior diplomats from the four countries met earlier this month in talks aimed at easing tensions between Ankara and Damascus.
“Any rapprochement would be a blow to the United States and its European allies, who continue to impose sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and seek to further isolate him.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is seeking re-election next month, has said he is willing to sit down with al-Assad to promote peace in the region.
In previous statements to Russian media, the Syrian president said that such a meeting would only take place if Turkey agrees to the principle of withdrawing its troops from Syrian territory and sets a timetable for such a withdrawal.
“Since 2016, following three military operations against Kurdish fighters, Turkish forces and pro-Syrian factions have controlled a large border area in northern Syria.” Over the years, Turkey has provided support to the political opposition and factions fighting in Syria.
“Observers say Erdogan is interested in reaching an agreement with al-Assad on securing Turkey’s borders, especially in Kurdish-held areas, and if he gets the assurances he is looking for, it will be easier for him to hand over current opposition-held areas to Damascus without seeking a way out that would guarantee the safety of groups that have allied with him for years.”
“Syria’s conflict has entered its second decade and has killed hundreds of thousands of people, displaced millions and embroiled regional and global powers, but the intensity of the fighting has recently begun to subside.”
The Assad government has retaken most of Syria with the support of Russia and Iran. Turkish-backed opposition fighters still control an enclave in the northwest, and U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters control an area near the Turkish border.
