STORY: Türkiye, Belgium agree on financial support for Syria's reconstruction
SHOOTING DATE: Jan. 2, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 3, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:40
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
(courtesy of Turkish Foreign Ministry)
1. various of the bilateral meeting of the two ministers
2. various of the joint press conference
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister
4. various of the joint press conference
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister

STORYLINE:

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized on Thursday the need for swift economic, financial, and commercial support for Syria's reconstruction during a joint press conference with Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin in Ankara.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister
"We have reached a consensus on the necessity of providing the economic, financial and commercial resources necessary for the reconstruction of the country (Syria) as soon as possible. Once again, we expressed our readiness to do everything within our power in this regard."

Fidan also called for the repatriation of Islamic State (IS) detainees currently held in camps and prisons in Syria by their home countries.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister
"Keeping them here indefinitely, without legal procedures or a clear plan for their future, has become a significant source of crisis in the region."

He also emphasized the need for the interim Syrian government to take responsibility for the security of these camps and prisons as soon as possible, adding that Türkiye stands ready to offer support.
   
Quintin, for his part, said that Belgium could help remove sanctions but would base further actions on the steps taken by the interim Syrian government.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)