Syrian President Bashar Assad has stated that he is ready to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria. Assad said this in an interview given to RIA Novosti.
“As for the meeting with Erdogan, it is linked to reaching the stage when Turkey is clearly and without any ambiguity ready for the complete withdrawal of forces from Syrian territory, ceases its support for terrorism, and returns to the situation that existed before the start of the Syrian war,” he said, considering this the only option under which negotiations with Erdogan are possible.
“This is the only option under which my meeting with Erdogan can take place,” Assad affirmed.
The president also pointed to the negative role that Turkey has played in the Syrian war by supporting terrorist organizations. “For us, Turkey is an occupying state,” concluded the Syrian president.
