Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has indicated a potential for a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the near future, signaling a possible thaw in relations between the two countries.

Speaking after Friday prayers on June 28th, Erdogan acknowledged past interactions with Assad and stated that a future meeting is possible. He emphasized that there are no obstacles to restoring diplomatic relations with Syria and expressed Turkey's willingness to collaborate on developing bilateral ties, mirroring their past cooperation.

Erdogan further clarified that Turkey has no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs, reiterating his openness to rebuilding relations with the Syrian regime and its leader.

These statements follow Assad's recent expression of openness to initiatives aimed at improving relations with Turkey, emphasizing the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty over its entire territory and combating terrorism and its organizations.

Turkey severed ties with Syria in 2011 following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. Ankara has been a key supporter of the Syrian opposition, providing political and military aid, particularly in northern Syria. Turkish forces are deployed in Idlib province and parts of Aleppo's northern and eastern countryside.

Just days ago, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Turkey expects the Syrian regime to utilize the current ceasefire and calm to address constitutional issues and achieve peace with its opponents. He emphasized the need for a unified Syria, encompassing both the government and opposition, to combat terrorism, specifically targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Following his meeting with Russian envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentiev on Wednesday, Assad, as reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA, expressed Syria's positive engagement with all initiatives, emphasizing that the success of any initiative relies on respecting state sovereignty and stability, indirectly addressing Turkey.

Assad reiterated his openness to all initiatives aimed at improving relations with Turkey, emphasizing the need for respecting Syria's sovereignty over its entire territory and combating all forms of terrorism and its organizations.