TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his willingness to leave the past behind and to settle differences with Syria.
Erdoğan invited Syrian President Bashar Assad for possible talks at any time that could lead to restorative ties.
Turkiye severed ties with Syria in 2011 following the outbreak of the civil war in which Ankara supported rebels aiming to overthrow Assad.
High-level talks between Turkiye and Syria mediated by Russia in 2022 failed after the Syrian government pressured Turkish troops to leave the country.
Turkiye fears removing its troops in Syria will create a power vacuum and give US-allied and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces a chance to dominate, which Ankara perceives as a top threat to its national security.
Erdoğan said Turkiye is willing to reciprocate if Syria shows willingness to restore ties.
The Turkish leader said he might also invite Russian leader Vladimir Putin to Turkiye for talks.
Erdoğan made the statement following protests in northern Syria that left seven dead resulting in deadly clashes in pro-Turkish rebel-held areas.
