Erdoğan: 'I Will Visit Damascus Soon'
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey's relations with Syria's new government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa continue, and announced he will visit Damascus soon.
RastinewsPresident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey's relations with Syria's new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa continue, and announced he would visit Damascus soon.
In an exclusive interview with Doha-based Al Jazeera Arabic, Erdoğan addressed ties with Syria and the Damascus government, Israel's attacks in the region, Gaza and Lebanon, F-35 talks with the United States, Russia, the European Union, and the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
"We will never leave Syria alone"
Addressing relations between Ankara and Syria's new leadership under al-Sharaa, Erdoğan said contacts between the two countries' state institutions continue.
"Our state mechanisms have a very good relationship with Syria, and we are sustaining that partnership," Erdoğan said. "Syria is our brother. We will never leave Syria alone."
Erdoğan said Turkey would keep supporting Syria's stability and continue doing its part.
Erdoğan announces Damascus visit
Erdoğan also addressed a question about Turkey's role in the process that led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government.
He said al-Sharaa and the Syrian leadership were aware of Turkey's role, and that Ankara's support would continue.
"God willing, I will make a trip to Damascus very soon," Erdoğan said.
Turkey's ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yılmaz, said recently that he expected Erdoğan to visit Damascus before the end of 2026. Yılmaz said Erdoğan had previously planned a visit around April 21, but it did not take place because of the outbreak of war and the closure of airspace.
Mecca agreement: an attack on one counts as an attack on three
Erdoğan also discussed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Asked whether the pact resembles NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause, Erdoğan said the three countries could act together if Turkey, Saudi Arabia or Pakistan came under attack.
He added that the agreement remains open to new members, and that Egypt could join if it wished.
A call over the Strait of Hormuz
Turning to the war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, Erdoğan said Turkey favors peace over war.
He said the closure of the Strait of Hormuz was a problem for global oil traffic, and that sea traffic should reopen and flow freely.
Message on Gaza and Lebanon
Erdoğan said Turkey's support for Gaza would continue. "We cannot leave Gaza on its own," he said.
He said Hamas had done its part in the ceasefire process, while Israel continued its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon.
On Lebanon, Erdoğan said Israeli attacks must end, and that the issue had been raised in talks with US President Donald Trump.
Remarks on Israel
Erdoğan was also asked about statements targeting Turkey in Israeli politics and media.
He said Turkey favors peace but would respond to any attack on the country, adding that Turkey "would not shy away from war and would not run from it."
F-35: "We expect Trump to keep his word"
On the F-35 file in relations with the United States, Erdoğan said Turkey expects President Donald Trump to deliver on his promise.
He said Turkey and the US have numerous open files, including defense industry cooperation and trade.
Erdoğan said Israel is not a party to Turkish-American relations, and that Ankara discusses these matters directly with Washington.
"Our relations with Russia are very good"
On the state of relations with Russia, Erdoğan said phone diplomacy between Ankara and Moscow continues.
He said Turkish and Russian ministers also maintain regular contact. "Our relations with Russia are very good," Erdoğan said.
EU: "Not our priority"
Asked about European Union membership, Erdoğan said Turkey has not closed the door on EU membership, but that it is not a priority for Ankara.
"We still intend to join the European Union. If they take us in, fine. If they don't, that's fine too. The European Union is not our priority," Erdoğan said.
He argued that if Turkey is not admitted, the EU would be the loser, not Turkey.
A message of unity to the Arab world
Marking the AK Party's 25th anniversary, Erdoğan said Turkey would grow stronger in the period ahead.
Closing the interview with a message to the Arab world, Erdoğan called for unity. "We are one, we are together, we are strong. Let's not hurt or offend one another — let's keep standing together," he said.