Türkiye calls on global community to scale up support for Syria's reconstruction

HAMILTON, Canada

Türkiye's UN envoy Ahmet Yildiz on Wednesday called for stronger international engagement in Syria's reconstruction and welcomed recent moves by the US, UK, and EU to lift economic sanctions.

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Syria, Yildiz said the country has begun a new "journey" of recovery following the leadership change in December, noting the return of over 500,000 Syrian refugees and 1.2 million internally displaced persons since then.

"Lifting sanctions and alleviating economic pressure on Syria and its people will significantly accelerate reconstruction efforts, which are critical to achieving stabilization, recovery, return of refugees, and ultimately, reconciliation," he said.

Yildiz emphasized that Türkiye has actively supported diplomatic efforts to remove obstacles to Syria's recovery and highlighted the high-level meetings between regional and international leaders.

He further welcomed the establishment of two national commissions in Syria on transitional justice and missing persons, describing them as "significant milestones in addressing the legacy of the conflict and fostering national healing."

Reaffirming Türkiye's commitment to supporting Syria's unity and sovereignty, Yildiz also urged the implementation of agreements ensuring centralized governance and warned against the influence of terrorist groups and "external political agendas."

"A stable and unified Syria, which is at peace with itself and its neighborhood and does not offer a safe haven for terrorist organizations, will support regional security and prosperity," he said.