Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said his country wants Syria to be “unified and integrated with all its components,” considering this important for achieving sustainable development and increasing the country’s capabilities, at a time when Syria is witnessing rapid developments toward unifying its institutions and ending the presence of multiple military forces.

Erdoğan made the remarks to journalists aboard his plane while returning to Turkey from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, after participating in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, according to an interview published by the Turkish newspaper Ekonomim on Wednesday, September 2.

A “Unified and Integrated” Syria

Responding to a question about developments related to the announced dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Erdoğan said Turkey is the country that “most wants” Syria to be “unified and integrated with all its components.”

He added that this is important for Syria’s “sustainable development and increasing its capabilities,” noting that Turkey is closely following developments in its southern neighbor.

The Turkish president said he believes the current developments “will open the door to a new era not only for Turkey and Syria, but for the entire region.”

He stressed the need to end the period of weapons and violence, saying that “the page of terrorism must be closed, along with the era of weapons and violence.”

Erdoğan’s remarks also addressed the next phase in Syria, particularly rebuilding state institutions and supporting reconstruction.

Call to Support Syria’s Reconstruction

Erdoğan called on Syria’s neighboring countries and friendly states to contribute to the country’s reconstruction.

He said Syrians are working to rebuild their country and that the next phase requires support from neighboring states and Syria’s friends.

He added that Turkey continues to support Syria’s unity and stability, stressing that Ankara’s position has remained consistent.

According to the interview, Erdoğan said, “We in Turkey are saying today about Syria what we said yesterday.”

Washington Recognizes “Syria’s Realities”

The Turkish president also addressed the US position on developments in Syria, saying the United States has begun to recognize “Syria’s realities.”

He stressed the need to preserve the country’s internal stability and prevent parties seeking to undermine that stability from achieving their goals.

Erdoğan also spoke about the importance of removing what he described as the “seeds of discord,” stressing the need to continue on a path toward stability.

The Turkish president linked ending the era of weapons and violence to the transition toward a new phase in Syria and the wider region, stressing that closing the “page of terrorism” is a goal that should be achieved.

He added that ongoing developments could pave the way for a new phase in which Syria focuses on reconstruction and development.

Erdoğan participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek at the invitation of the Kyrgyz president before departing the Kyrgyz capital for Turkey.