Hakan Fidan: Erdogan's visit to Syria planned for near future

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may visit Syria in the near future, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said following talks in Damascus with Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, the foreign minister and minister responsible for Syrians abroad of Syria's transitional government.

"Our president's visit to Syria is planned for the near future. He has wanted to make such a visit for a long time. We are working to create the necessary conditions for it," Fidan said.

According to him, during his current contacts in Damascus, he reviewed the work that needs to be carried out by the senior-level group responsible for preparing the visit.

"From this perspective, my current visit is of great importance," the minister noted.

Fidan did not specify an exact date for Erdogan's visit to Syria.

In mid-August, Erdogan said he intended to visit Syria in the near future.