Russia, Turkey, and Syria Agree on Roadmap for Normalizing Relations

The Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers agreed during a meeting in Moscow, the first since 2011, to draw up a roadmap aimed at normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara.

And the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that the Syrian ministers, Faisal al-Miqdad, the Turkish minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, and their Russian counterparts, Sergey Lavrov and the Iranian, Hussein Amir Abdollahian, had asked their deputies to “devise a roadmap to strengthen relations between Turkey and Syria, in coordination between the ministries of defense and intelligence in the four countries.” The same source added in a statement that this decision was taken during a meeting in Moscow that was held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere.”

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, this map will allow Damascus and Ankara to “clearly define their positions on issues of priority to them” with the aim of “recovering the Syrian government’s control over the entire territory of the country and to firmly guarantee the security of the border with Turkey,” which is 900 kilometers long.

“It is also important to note the restoration of logistical ties that were severed between the two neighboring countries and the resumption of economic cooperation without any obstacles,” Lavrov added. Lavrov said, “We are all interested in restoring relations between Syria and Turkey on the basis of mutual equality and respect.”

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said, “We are fully convinced that these two countries can leave the past behind and look to the future by resolving their bilateral problems through dialogue and strengthening cooperation.”

The announcement is a diplomatic float for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a few days before Sunday’s general election, which represents his toughest challenge since he came to power 21 years ago.

At the beginning of the conflict, Erdogan supported opposition efforts to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and maintained a military presence in northern regions of the country. However, he deviated from this path after Türkiye plunged into an economic crisis two years ago.

He has courted former foes in the region and is now seeking a summit with Assad. But Syria refused and said that Turkey must first withdraw its soldiers. In turn, Erdogan’s opponents support reconciliation with Syria, which is one of the most important headlines of the Turkish election campaign.

Erdogan pledged to accelerate the return of about four million Syrian refugees and migrants who fled to Turkey to escape poverty and war in their country. Reaching an agreement with Damascus is a condition for that process.