SYRIA: RETURN OF RELATIONS WITH TURKEY MUST BE BUILT ON CLEAR BASIS THAT GUARANTEE DESIRED RESULTS – SANA

Syria stressed that the return of normal relations with Turkey is based on the return of the situation that prevailed before 2011, which is the basis for the security, safety and stability of the two countries, noting that the interest of countries is based on the sound relationship between them, not on confrontation or hostility. Syria has always been keen to make a clear distinction between peoples on the one hand, and the policies and practices of governments that have harmed Syria and their own countries on the other, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Syria has been and remains to be based on the firm conviction that the interest of States is based on sound relations among themselves and not on confrontation or hostility, and that is why Syria has been keen to deal positively with the various initiatives that have been put forward to improve relations between it and those countries. The ministry went on by saying that Syria affirms that any initiative to returnin g relations between Syria and Turkey must be built on clear foundations that ensure the desired results, represented in the return of ties between the two countries to their normal state, foremost of which is the withdrawal of illegally present forces from the Syrian territory, and the fight against terrorist groups that threaten not only Syria's security, but also the security of Turkey. The ministry concluded that Syria expresses gratitude and appreciation to the brotherly and friendly countries that are making sincere efforts to correct the Syrian-Turkish relations, and stresses that the return of normal relations between the two countries should be based on the return of the situation that prevailed before 2011, which is the basis for the security, safety and stability of the two countries. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon