On January 28, the Foreign Minister of Turkey met with his Saudi counterpart in Saudi Arabia. According to reports, Hakan Fidan’s discussions in Riyadh centered on the financial penalties imposed on Damascus. Fidan’s visit to the kingdom occurs for the second time in January for the conference. He also spoke with Prince Faisal during a multinational Syria summit in Riyadh on January 12.
Fidan’s talks take place as regional attention to Syria grows. The most recent policy by the European Union ministers to start lifting sanctions on Syria was warmly received by the nation’s new government. Syrian Foreign minister stated in a news statement that the action promotes economic rehabilitation. Asaad al-Shaibani said it may also make it easier to get essential amenities. He also demanded that all existing sanctions be lifted.
The international community seeks to establish ties with the fledgling government of the war-torn nation after former administration was overthrown. The statement said the Syrian nation should have a real chance to start again and create their unique ultimate outcome. It also pointed out that penalties are now harmful to people’ well-being. In the beginning, the Assad government’s conducts were the reason behind the financial limitations placed on Syria.
Throughout Syrian civil war, the EU placed extensive restrictions on the Assad regime and the country’s economic system. Members have agreed on a “plan of action” for removing the penalties, according to EU foreign affairs director Kaja Kallas. Key industries where the greatest need for assistance exists, like energy, are where the initiative begins.
Two days earlier, Fidan traveled to Iraq to meet with Fuad Hussein, the country’s senior diplomat. He urged Baghdad to formally designate the PKK as a terrorist group. “PKK attacks Syria, Iraq, and Turkey. For the sake of our region’s security and the welfare of our citizens, we must combat extremism together,” Fidan stated during a joint press briefing with Hussein.
Fidan went on to say that Turkey, Iraq, and Syria must pool all of their resources to wipe out the PKK and ISIS terrorist entities. He made the case that Baghdad and the new Syrian government needed to work closely together in this regard.
Fidan was scheduled to speak with Abdul Latif Rashid, the president of Iraq, during his stay. He also spoke with Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, the leader of the parliament, and Iraqi Prime Ministeri.
According to Turkish reports, throughout his visit, Fidan was anticipated to talk about deepening Turkey’s commercial and financial connections with Baghdad. An important turning point in Turkish-Iraqi ties was Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Iraq last year. It was his first visit to the country in more than ten years, during which time the area saw a number of political and security developments. A comprehensive strategic arrangement spanning 26 fields of partnership, including business and national issues, was signed during the visit.
