Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could sit down with his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, in the near term as discussions evolved in 2023. This potential meeting was discussed by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, highlighting a possible shift in regional diplomacy after years of tension between Ankara and Damascus. The topic came into sharper focus as both sides explored avenues for dialogue, looking to set a constructive path forward in a volatile security environment.
The conversation around opening talks between the two leaders gained momentum following a meeting of the foreign ministers from Turkey, Syria, Russia, and Iran in Moscow on May 10. Erdogan indicated that if negotiations were to start, they would likely proceed quickly within the year, signaling a willingness to accelerate diplomacy once the respective governments aligned on key issues. The sense of urgency reflected a broader hope for stabilizing northern Syria and addressing mutual concerns about security and regional influence.
On March 16, Syrian President Bashar Assad stated that he was prepared to meet Erdogan once Turkish troops began withdrawing from Syria. This statement underscored Syria’s interest in reestablishing direct channels with Ankara, potentially paving the way for broader talks on governance, security arrangements, and the fate of Syrian territories involved in the conflict over the past decade.
Members of the Security and Foreign Policy Council, chaired by President Çağrı Erhan, noted that a meeting between Erdogan and Assad before Turkey’s presidential elections appeared unlikely, given the electoral timeline and the political sensitivities involved. The assessment reflected the competing domestic and international considerations that shape high level diplomacy in the region, where timing can be as crucial as the talks themselves.
Meanwhile, presidential candidate Muharrem Ince asserted that if elected, he would strive to meet with Syrian President Bashar Assad, signaling that electoral dynamics could influence the posture toward Damascus. The remarks added a domestic layer to the regional dialogue, illustrating how changes in Turkish leadership could impact the sequence and scope of any prospective discussions with Syria. As the situation evolved, pundits and policymakers weighed the potential benefits and risks of renewed engagement, including the prospects for security stabilization, refugee management, and humanitarian access across the border.