Lattakia - Foreign Minister Walid al-Mu'allim underlined Sunday [4 October] that the Syrian-Turkish relations seek to achieve the interests of the two friendly peoples and they form a basis for stability in the region.
On the sidelines of the second Ministerial Meeting of the Syrian-Turkish High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, Minister Al-Mu'allim told the journalists that these relations have become exemplary for the Arab countries in the region and for this reason it was agreed on holding a Quartet High Level Cooperation Council which includes Syria, Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.
The Foreign Minister expressed hope that the Quartet Council would further broaden to include more brotherly and friendly countries in a way that serves the interests of the peoples of the region who seek development, progress and stability, stressing that "the arteries of these relations will feed stability to build a new Middle East by the hands of the region's peoples."
Answering a question on the Turkish role in the indirect talks between Syria and Israel, Minister Al-Mu'allim said "the Turkish role has proved that it is an honest mediator so it's natural to adhere to it".
"Indirect talks should be held through the Turkish mediator and start from the point it previously stopped any effort from any side about this issue should be dedicated to help the Turkish role," he added. On Syrian-Turkish coordination to find solutions to the problems of the region, Minister Al-Mu'allim underlined that Syria and Turkey do have coordination with regard to the Palestinian Issue and achieving reconciliation among Palestinian factions in addition to other regional issues and combating terrorism.
On achieving reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas, Al-Mu'allim said there is a possibility to achieve that and it is a Palestinian issue, calling upon foreign forces to stay away from the Palestinians in order to achieve reconciliation among them.
About the Lebanese situation, Minister Al-Mu'allim called on all sides to consolidate their unity and stances for the unity and stability of Lebanon in the framework of outcome of Beirut Summit recently held by President Bashar al-Asad, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia and Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, underlining that efforts are still exerted in this direction.