FM Fidan to push for sanctions relief, stability at Syria talks in Riyadh

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to attend a meeting in Riyadh on Jan. 12 aimed at addressing stability and security in Syria, with discussions expected to focus on reconstruction efforts, territorial integrity, counterterrorism and the easing of sanctions on key sectors.

High-level international participation in Riyadh meeting

According to diplomatic sources, the Riyadh meeting follows a similar session held in Aqaba, Jordan, on Dec. 14, 2024.

Delegations from Türkiye, Syria, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman—will participate, along with representatives from Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, the United Kingdom and Germany.

Senior officials from the European Union, Arab League, GCC, and the United Nations will also be in attendance. The United States and Italy will participate at the deputy foreign minister level.

Türkiye’s priorities for meeting

The agenda will primarily focus on achieving stability and security in Syria.

Minister Fidan is expected to emphasize the importance of maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and unity while highlighting the need to combat separatist terrorist organizations that could exploit the current situation.

FM Fidan to advocate for easing sanctions on Syria

Russian media outlet TASS, citing a Turkish Foreign Ministry source, reported that Fidan plans to advocate for the easing of sanctions imposed on Syria, particularly in vital areas.

The minister is expected to call for expanding the scope of recent exemptions to include critical sectors essential for reconstruction and humanitarian efforts.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry source noted, “Minister Fidan is expected to express support for expanding the scope of exemptions from anti-Syrian sanctions and lifting them for vital areas at the meeting, which will mainly focus on steps to ensure stability and security in Syria. He will also point out the importance of taking systematic and consistent measures to rebuild Syria without slowing down the pace of their implementation.”

Focus on Syria’s reconstruction and regional stability

Fidan is expected to underline the need for accelerating Syria’s reconstruction and ensuring that steps taken in this direction remain systematic and consistent.

He will also expect to reaffirm Türkiye’s commitment to combating terrorist groups such as the PKK and its Syrian affiliates, which Ankara considers key threats to regional stability.