Assad says meetings with Turkey help improve level of relationship

Syrian President Bashar al Assad said that meetings with Turkish officials are limited to information-sharing sessions, but they would still help improve the level of relationship between the countries, Turkey’s Cumhuriyet reported, citing from Lebanese Al Akhbar newspaper.

Al-Assad made the remarks in a meeting with some Syrian researchers and journalists, when they discussed different issues relating to Syria in a three-hour-long session, according to Al Akhbar.

Assad said Turkey has expressed readiness to meet demands asked by Syria; so, Damascus expects Ankara to take practical steps and stop uttering sheer words.

Assad also said that Ankara may be "more sincere" in its approach than some Arab countries, but that it is not possible to decide whether Turkey's stance is serious or just a political maneuver.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday reiterated that he can meet his Syrian counterpart.

"A meeting with Assad is possible. There is no resentment or bitterness in politics,” Erdogan said. “Sooner or later, we will take steps.”

The Syrian President also noted that they were also in contact with Kurdish forces in northern Syria on their problems, including services and livelihood, but these relations have not brought any development and could not pass beyond “tribal relations.”