On Turkish- Syrian relations
The Turkish daily " Daily News " said on Thursday that Turkey, in its attempt to maintain a balance in its relations with Syria and Israel is currently hosting a Syrian military delegation chaired by Lt. Gen. Ahmad al-Ali from the training department. This is, however, the second Syrian military delegation which visits Turkey within 6 months.
The paper indicated that Turkey hosts tripartite air maneuvers with the participation of both Israel and the US in the city of Qoulna in the heart of Anadolia on the 17th of the current month ( June). Also considered the first of its kind in Turkey.
The paper commented that since just a short period of time Syria, the southern enemy neighbor to Turkey were among the main Arab countries which criticized the military and security closeness with Israel, adding that despite the campaign of doubts and criticism against Turkey, this campaign started to be calmer after Ankara has pursued a more balanced policy towards the Middle East.
The paper added that the Turkish and Syrian military delegations are discussing details of the technical, scientific military training and cooperation proposed by the Turkish side to the Let. Gen. Mahmoud Ammar ( from Syria) during his previous visit to Ankara, noting the need to sign an agreement to declare the principles between Turkey and Syria before signing the military co-operation agreement.
A statement made by the chairman of the planning and principles commission Lt. Gen. Rashad Tourgot, said in a statement to the paper said that time is still very early to talk about holding joint Syrian- Turkish maneuvers as part of the arrangements to build confidence which should be in parallel with developing political relations between Ankara and Damascus.
In regard to the developed military relations with Israel, the paper quoted a Turkish official as saying that it is natural that Turkey will discuss alternatives to withstand its security requirements and this will not prevent strengthening relations with other countries like Syria and Russia.
The paper added that at a time in which American and Israeli sources in Ankara stressed the holding of joint air maneuvers, due to the sensitivity of the Turkish- Israeli relations for the Arabs, at a time tension increases between Israel and Palestine.