Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
Photo: AP
Syrian FM Walid Moallem
Photo: AFP
Turkey, Syria sign cooperation deal
Foreign ministers sign several treaties boosting strategic ties between two nations following long history of tension
On the heels of Turkey's decision to cancel a joint military drill with Israel, and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments against Israeli's conduct in Gaza, the Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers signed a civil and defense cooperation treaty on Tuesday.
The two countries signed a number of treaties, strengthening strategic ties between them in several fields. In the first meeting of the supreme council for the strategic cooperation between Turkey and Syria, both ministers agreed to abolish mutual entry visa requirements.
The agreement was signed in Aleppo, by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu.
The treaty follows understandings reached between Syrian President Bashar Assad and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul in a meeting held almost one month ago.
These understandings come as a new peak in ties between the two countries, after a long history of dispute over the Iskenderun region and Syria's support of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.
The visa agreement will be executed on Tuesday, with a ceremony to take place in Aleppo. The two parties will then pass by foot the border with Turkey to conclude the ceremony in Turkey.
The council's first meeting took place on Tuesday, and with several Syrian ministers taking part, including the defense minister, finance minister, education minister, housing minister, energy minister and more.
