On relations between Syria and Turkey

The Turkish journalist Muhammad Ali Berand has stated that the atmosphere of no-confidence still continues between Syria and Turkey in spite of the attempts made by the two sides to open a new page in bilateral relations and to put a new picture in the new frame.

However, each of the two sides wants this new picture to be put in a new frame that suits him only.

In a political analysis he published in the Turkish Daily News on March 10, Berand added that there are still two questions that are still on the top list of the agenda on the Turkish- Syrian relations, namely security and water.

The Turkish journalist added that the Turkish side is not completely pleased with the performance of the Adanah protocol signed between the two sides in 1998. And despite of the fact that the high-ranking Turkish delegation which visited Damascus recently did not tackle this issue, Ankara wants the Syrians to be more committed to this protocol.

The Turkish journalists added that during the talks the two sides sought to expand cultural, economic and trade relations, but the second topic which should not be touched upon again is the Hatai ( Iskandaroun Sanjak) and the name of Hatai ( the name of Iskandaroun in Trkish) was not stated openly, rather a diploatic language was used in that a call was made to define sites of border points which constitutes the borders between the two countries and that Syria does not view this issue in a friendly perspective.

Berand, who visited Syria and met with Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara for two hours, said that al-Shara told him, "Let's develop our economic and cultural relations and then all these matters will find a solution, automatically."

Berand added that al-Shara stated that Syria does not intend to change its current position concerning Hatai.