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![\"Ankara,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/6a44e268453e53ccb7ab9418.jpg\")
<\/p>\n DAMASCUS
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Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa \u00c7ift\u00e7i held high-level security talks in Syria<\/a> on June 30 to discuss security cooperation, the repatriation of Syrian refugees and efforts to strengthen institutional ties<\/a>, according to official statements.<\/p>\n \u00c7ift\u00e7i met Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab in Damascus at the Tishreen Palace, where the two sides discussed cooperation on public security, law enforcement capacity building and border-related issues.<\/p>\n The talks also covered joint efforts in areas including disaster management, counter-narcotics work, police training and the development of identification and registration systems, according to officials.<\/p>\n The return of Syrians is \u201cvaluable for Syria\u2019s reconstruction and rebuilding,\u201d \u00c7ift\u00e7i said during the visit, adding that T\u00fcrkiye<\/a> continues to support \u201cvoluntary, safe, dignified and orderly returns.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00c7ift\u00e7i noted that more than 1.4 million Syrians have returned from T\u00fcrkiye since 2017, including hundreds of thousands since late 2024.<\/p>\n During the visit, \u00c7ift\u00e7i also met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus. The delegation was received at the People\u2019s Palace, where officials discussed broader security coordination and regional stability, according to Syrian presidential statements.<\/p>\n The minister also visited the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he prayed alongside his delegation, and later viewed the city from Mount Qasioun with Syrian officials.<\/p>\n T\u00fcrkiye\u2019s delegation included senior ministry officials, while Syrian officials from multiple agencies took part in the meetings.<\/p>\n The visit comes as Ankara and Damascus gradually increase contacts following years of strained relations tied to Syria\u2019s civil war.<\/p>\n