Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the return of Syrian refugees should be voluntary, safe and honorable, referring to the developments in the relationship between Turkey and the Syrian regime, and that it may lead to a meeting at the level of leaders.
Akar added, in press statements, that Turkey has expressed its willingness to work jointly regarding the return of Syrian refugees to their country.
The Turkish minister explained that developments regarding relations between Turkey and the Syrian regime are continuing, and that this stage began first with discussions between the intelligence elements of the two countries, and then between the intelligence institutions, then the meeting at the level of defense ministers of Turkey, Syria and Russia.
Akar stressed that his country, although "this stage continues in a healthy way," said that they are making efforts in this direction, explaining that if the circumstances and conditions are appropriate, "there can be meetings at the level of leaders."
Moscow meeting
The day before yesterday, Wednesday, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his Syrian counterpart, Ali Mahmoud Abbas, met in the Russian capital, Moscow, according to Turkish sources who spoke to Al-Jazeera, and the meeting took place in the presence and participation of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
The sources said that the ministers agreed to form joint committees of defense and intelligence officials, whose meetings will start at the end of next January in Moscow, followed by meetings in Ankara and Damascus.
According to the same sources, the three defense ministers also agreed on a joint mechanism to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees after providing the appropriate grounds.
According to Turkish sources, the ministers also discussed a vision that puts an end to the presence of what is known as the Syrian Democratic Forces in northern Syria.
Syrian demonstrations
Meanwhile, demonstrations took place in several cities and towns in northwestern Syria to emphasize adherence to the principles of the Syrian revolution.
The demonstrators demanded the implementation of International Resolution No. 2254, which stipulates the transfer of power in Syria to an independent and delegated transitional governing body.
The demonstrators also called on the international community not to give or grant any legitimacy to the regime after it caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Syrians, displaced them from their cities, and left thousands of others in prison.