Damascus, Ankara fail to settle disputes

Turkish Foreign Minister Ismael Cem said that Syria and Turkey have failed in their attempt to reset relations already frozen for several years to normalcy. adding that "problems are still pending."

Following his meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Adnan Omran, currently visiting Turkey, Cem added, "Relations between the two countries have not developed, rather face several problems." He ruled out paying a visit to Damascus at the invitation of his Syrian counterpart, Farouk al-Sharaa. He continued, "The atmosphere to pay such a visit is not prepared well," adding that, "It is the task of his ministry to work to eliminate or minimize suspended problems."

On Tuesday Ankara had said the visit of the Syrian diplomat constitutes "a new step toward normalization of relations between the two countries."