With the internal turmoil that started in 2011, there was talk of reuniting the threads that were broken between Ankara and Damascus. While a possible table is expected to be established between the two countries, it was emphasized that it is important to conduct a joint study between Ankara and Damascus in the evaluations made on the subject.
Making evaluations to our newspaper on the subject, Altınbaş University International Relations Department Head Prof. Dr. Serhat Erkmen stated that the civil war in Syria is nearing its end and evaluated that it is extremely important for Ankara and Damascus to work together in order to end the civil war in Syria and to establish a stable state afterwards.
The wind of reconciliation that started to blow between Turkey and the Syrian regime started to take place on the agenda. While hot topics such as border security, terrorist formations and refugees form the basis of the conflict between the two countries, this is the case at the possible dialogue table to be established between Ankara and Damascus. It was also a matter of curiosity how to resolve conflicts. Making evaluations on the subject, Altınbaş University International Relations Department Head Prof. Dr. Serhat Erkmen stated that the civil war in Syria is nearing its end and evaluated that it is extremely important for Ankara and Damascus to work together in order to end the civil war in Syria and to establish a stable state afterwards.
“THE SYRIAN REFUGEES PROBLEM IS A GREAT DEAD-END”
Stating that one of the dead-end problems between the two countries is the Syrians in our country, Erkmen noted that the issue also caused a growing political polarization in Turkey's domestic politics. Erkmen stated that the main way for the return of Syrians in Turkey is to end the civil war in Syria and to ensure a safe environment, and noted that Damascus is reluctant to accept its own citizens.
“THE TERRORIST FORMATIONS ARE AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES”
Emphasizing that the most important problem between Ankara and Damascus is the terrorist formations in northern Syria, Erkmen said, “There is a PYD that is taking root in the northeast of Syria day by day and is beginning to receive political support from most of the Western countries along with the USA. The Syrian army does not have the strength to go against the PYD alone. Since Turkey is the only power that can go against the PYD in the region, every operation signal from Ankara is actually a source of opportunity for Damascus.”