Türkiye to open consulate general in Aleppo, Syria

Türkiye plans to open a consulate general in Aleppo, marking a significant step in its diplomatic and economic support for Syria’s reconstruction.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to assisting Syria across various sectors, from energy and education to security and trade.

Just as we have not abandoned our Syrian brothers for the past 13 years, we will continue to stand by them with all our capacity moving forward.

First, we swiftly sent our Head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) to Damascus, followed by our Minister of Foreign Affairs. We immediately reopened our Embassy there.

Our Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) conducted investigations in torture facilities, including Sednaya Prison. Our ministries, institutions, municipalities, and non-governmental organizations are intensively preparing in their respective areas.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Türkiye strengthens diplomatic presence in Syria

Speaking during the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) parliamentary group, Erdogan announced plans to open Türkiye’s consulate general in Aleppo, alongside the recently reopened Turkish embassy in Damascus.

Key highlights from Erdogan’s statement include:

• Recognition of the new Syrian leadership’s moderate and constructive approach.
• Türkiye’s commitment to supporting Syria in energy, education, health care, security and trade sectors.
• Assistance aimed at enabling Syria to rebuild institutional capacity and resume essential government functions.

Soon, we will open our Consulate General in Aleppo. We see that the leader of the new administration, Mr. Ahmed al–Sharaa, has managed the process very well and earned appreciation for his moderate and constructive messages.

From energy to transportation, from urban planning to education and healthcare, from security to trade, we will support Syria in every area where assistance is needed.

We will contribute to Syria’s recovery, strengthening institutional capacity, and enabling the state to fulfill its fundamental responsibilities again.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Financial and humanitarian challenges in Syria

President Erdogan cited U.N. data, estimating the total cost of war-related damage in Syria at approximately $500 billion.

• Erdogan stressed that Syria cannot bear this financial burden alone.
• He called for the Arab and Islamic world to lead reconstruction efforts and set an example for other nations.
• Türkiye will continue to play an active role in Syria’s recovery.

We will firmly maintain our stance against attacks targeting Syria’s territorial integrity.

Whoever is in a ‘race to seize opportunities from the flood’ will find not only the Syrian people but also our nation standing against them.

We are determined to eliminate terrorist organizations threatening the survival of both countries, particularly Daesh and PKK. As I stated after the Cabinet meeting, the old situation is no longer sustainable. These separatist terrorists will either lay down their weapons or be buried in Syrian soil along with their weapons.

We will eliminate the terrorist organization that tries to build a wall of blood between us and our Kurdish brothers. Whatever plan the terrorist organization and its supporters may have, we also have our own plan.

Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and all other ethnic and religious groups—we all look at the same sky and breathe the same air.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan