STORY: Syria's interim FM meets with Turkish president, FM on 1st official visit
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 15, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 16, 2025
LENGTH: 0:01:09
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of convoys entering the Turkish Foreign Ministry in Ankara (courtesy of Ihlas News Agency)
2. various of the meeting (courtesy of Turkish Foreign Ministry)
3. various of the joint press conference (courtesy of Ihlas News Agency)
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister

STORYLINE:

Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday on his first official visit to Türkiye.
   
The meeting between Erdogan and Al-Shaibani addressed the most recent situation in Syria and steps to be taken to preserve the country's territorial integrity, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement on the social media platform X.
   
According to the directorate, Erdogan said that "Türkiye will support meeting the urgent needs of the brotherly Syrian people and the efforts to rebuild the country," emphasizing the importance of lifting international sanctions on Syria.
   
Erdogan also underscored that there is no room for terrorist organizations in Syria's future, the statement added.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister 
"The international community can support Syria to rebuild state institutions and build capacity. Sanctions must be lifted to facilitate the provision of basic public services and accelerate normalization. This will create conditions enabling millions of Syrians to return home." 

Fidan also reaffirmed Ankara's commitment to aiding the fight against terrorism, including operational support against the Islamic State (IS), emphasizing that regional cooperation is vital.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): HAKAN FIDAN, Turkish Foreign Minister
"We have already taken steps to assist and are prepared to help manage camps and prisons housing IS detainees. We will never consent to the division of Syria. There is no place for terror in the region's future."

The Turkish minister also announced that Türkiye's consulate in Aleppo would reopen on Jan. 20.
   
Al-Shaibani, for his part, described the visit as a turning point for Turkish-Syrian relations, saying "Türkiye and Syria are writing a new history based on brotherhood."
   
He underscored the importance of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and the central government's control over all areas. "We believe Syria's northeastern regions must not pose a threat to Türkiye and should be unified under our central governance," Al-Shaibani said.
   
Calling on the international community and neighboring countries for support, Al-Shaibani said, "Syria urgently needs assistance for its reconstruction and the establishment of educational institutions. With brotherly cooperation, we can restore dignity and normalcy to the Syrian people."
   
Türkiye has voiced its commitment to Syria's post-conflict reconstruction, with Turkish officials signaling their willingness to provide logistical support, technical expertise, and investment in key sectors such as construction, agriculture, and energy.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)