Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and transitional Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara emphasized on Tuesday the importance of elevating the relations between the two countries to a “strategic level.”

During a joint press conference, Erdoğan highlighted Turkey’s ongoing support for the Syrians and the necessity of achieving peace in Syria, with a focus on combating terrorist organizations.

For his part, al-Shara called for transforming the relationship with Turkey into a deep strategic partnership, affirming his country’s readiness to enhance trade exchange, particularly in the areas of reconstruction.