Yesterday, Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam embarked on a two-day official visit to Turkey, during which he will convey a message from Syrian President Dr. Bashar Al-Assad to Turkish President Ahmed Necdet Sazar. Additionally, he will engage in discussions with high-ranking Turkish officials concerning bilateral and regional matters. Syrian sources have indicated that Khaddam’s talks in Ankara will encompass various topics, including the water issue, security, trade, economic relations between Syria and Turkey, as well as military relations between Turkey and Israel. Furthermore, these sources note that the discussions will address the distressing events in the Palestinian territories and the matter of Jerusalem, which holds significant importance for Arab and Islamic nations. They perceive Khaddam’s visit to Ankara, preceding the upcoming Islamic Summit in Doha, as a strategic move by Syria to garner Arab and Islamic support for its stances expressed during the recent Cairo Summit, particularly regarding Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, Palestine, and other issues of Arab and Islamic concern. The Syrian sources affirm their belief that the visit of the Syrian Vice President to Ankara is a result of the positive progress in Syrian-Turkish relations since President Sazar assumed office, citing his participation in the funeral of the late President Hafez Al-Assad and the invitation extended to President Bashar Al-Assad to visit Turkey.
In this context, it is noteworthy that Ankara is reassessing its international and regional relationships with the aim of establishing enhanced ties with European and Arab countries, given the Arab trend towards a unified Arab market and a shared Euro-Mediterranean system under the Barcelona Charter.
Certain Turkish military personnel have called for a reevaluation of certain terms of the military agreement that was concluded with Israel.
Observers believe that the visit of the Syrian Vice President to Ankara aligns with these ongoing developments, which could potentially serve the interests of Arab issues on one hand and overall Arab-Turkish relations on the other.
Despite Turkey regulating the flow of water from its territory to Syria through the Euphrates River, this matter has not significantly hindered the development of bilateral relations, as evidenced by the progress made. A sizable Turkish economic delegation, led by the Turkish Minister of Commerce, previously visited Syria, and in response, a Syrian delegation headed by the Syrian Minister of Interior, Dr. Mohammed Harba, visited Ankara after conducting security negotiations between the two sides. These negotiations resulted in the signing of the well-known Adana Agreement.
Syrian sources believe that Turkey has achieved a certain level of autonomy in its decision-making process regarding issues in the Arab region, particularly concerning the situation in the Palestinian territories and Jerusalem. Ankara is actively engaging with its Arab and Islamic surroundings, seeking to enhance its relationships with its Arab neighbors, especially Syria, as Syria serves as a gateway for Turkey to the Gulf region and North Africa.
It is important to mention that the Turkish president has previously condemned Israeli violence and held Ariel Sharon accountable for the escalation of the situation in the Palestinian territories. Furthermore, the Turkish Foreign Minister has expressed concerns about the escalating violence and tension in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
