Türkiye’s Ambassador to Damascus Nuh Yılmaz assessed diplomatic activity between Ankara and Damascus, as well as developments in Syria and the surrounding region. Yılmaz said Türkiye’s diplomatic mission in Damascus was the largest of its kind in the world and drew attention to the historical, cultural, military and economic ties between the two countries.
Yılmaz said Damascus held a special place in the memory of the Turkish people. He noted that the city carried a legacy from the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, adding that the call to prayer at the Umayyad Mosque and shared traditions continued to reflect the ties between the two sides.
Assessment of border security
Speaking about security and military contacts between Türkiye and Syria, Yılmaz recalled President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s principle that “Syria’s security is Türkiye’s security.” Yılmaz said four strategic security problems along the border had been eliminated after Syria’s new administration took office.
Yılmaz identified these problems as human trafficking, drug trafficking, uncontrolled migration and terrorism, saying the change had taken place after Dec. 8, 2024. He also described visits by Turkish Naval Forces ships to Latakia Port as one of the concrete indicators of future military and maritime cooperation.
Yılmaz said they were ready to provide support for the Syrian army’s training, equipment and logistical needs. He said their position on terrorist elements in the region was clear and argued that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and PKK/YPG elements should be completely cleared from the region.
Yılmaz said they were closely monitoring the process between the Syrian administration and the YPG. He described the complete dismantling of SDF and PKK elements across Türkiye, Syria and Iraq as essential to Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Yılmaz said the integration process mentioned by President Ahmed al-Sharaa was progressing slowly, but added that they supported steps aimed at ending terrorism.
Trade and border crossings
Providing information on economic relations, Yılmaz said trade between the two countries had risen 40 percent in a short period to $3.75 billion. He said the medium-term target was a trade volume of $10 billion and that talks on a Free Trade Agreement and joint industrial zones were continuing.
Yılmaz said the goal was to open all crossings along the more than 900-kilometer border. He said that, under an agreement between the Ministry of Trade and Syrian customs authorities, border crossings—particularly along the Nusaybin-Qamishli route—were expected to become operational gradually within three months.
Yılmaz said the Free Zone and Dry Port project planned in Idlib was expected to speed up transportation and customs procedures, and also addressed cooperation in education. He said that, under an agreement between the Ministry of National Education and Syrian authorities, an International Turkish School would be opened in Damascus and its surrounding areas in the coming period.
Syrians and a possible visit to Damascus
Regarding Syrians under temporary protection, Yılmaz said the exemption from work permits had been in force for a long time. He said the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior were working on new visa regulations to facilitate visits to Türkiye by Syrians who had returned to their country.
Yılmaz also assessed the possibility of President Erdoğan visiting Syria, saying that previously planned contacts had been postponed because of regional developments. Yılmaz said they hoped to see Erdoğan in Damascus before the end of this year, adding that Erdoğan and Ahmed al-Sharaa walking together at the Umayyad Mosque would demonstrate the strategic partnership between the two countries.
