On the 3rd of March, the Turkish Delegation, led by Doğu Perinçek, Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey) met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the purpose of discussing the topics such as developing economic cooperation and solidarity between the two countries and ceasing ethnic and religious conflicts and terrorism in the region.
The two leaders discussed about building a resistance front against the imperialist aggression in the Middle East and the independence of Turkey and Syria.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said in his speech that Turkish delegation's visit to Syria in such a difficult period gave a great brotherhood message to the Arab world and entire world public opinion.
President Assad said, "Today, I'm very happy for your visit. We did not have any coordination with any Turkish delegation for two years. Actually they did not come to visit us. Your visit in such a difficult period is a significant step. Some of us had began to think that Turkey became an hostile country. However, your visit gave the message to the entire world that Turks and Arabs are brothers forever. Turkey's separation is no doubt Syria's separation."
President Assad described Turkey and Syria as the heart of the world. "The Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the Gulf is the heart of the world. But we need strong personalities to manage this region. We cannot work with closed-minded people. How can a visionless guy who is not even representing all of Turkish society can lead such a project around the world," President Assad said in his meeting with the Patriotic Party delegation led by Doğu Perinçek.
The Chairman of the Patriotic Party Doğu Perinçek said in his speech, "Thank you very much Mr. President. We've been looking forward to this meeting with a great enthusiasm. We also offer respect for Mrs. Asma Assad. Turkish people love her as the symbol of the modern women
The Patriotic Party delegation and Syrian officials reached a consensus on collaborating in security, economical, social and cultural issues in their two-hour meeting.
A delegation headed by Dr. Doğu Perinçek, Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey), visited Syria in order to carry out official meetings. In a three day visit to Damascus, from the 28th of February to 3rd of March, the delegation met with government representatives. The visit has been carried out on an invitation of the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, H.E. Mr. Bashar al-Assad.
The delegation that visited Syria consisted of the following persons:
1) Doğu Perinçek, Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey), Head of the delegation
2) Barlas Doğu, Former Minister of National Defense
3) Prof. Dr. Birgül Ayman Güler, Parliamentarian
4) E. Korg. İsmail Hakkı Pekin, Deputy Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey), Former Head of the Intelligence of the General Staff
5) Şule Perinçek, Deputy Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey)
6) Yunus Soner, Deputy Chairman of the Patriotic Party (Turkey)
7) Abdüllatif Şener, Former Deputy Prime Minister between 2002-2007, founding member of the AKP
8) Prof. Dr. Ümit Akkoyunlu, Chairman of the Turkmen Parliament
9) Ali Rıza Tekin, Businessman
10) Abdülkadir Yıldız, Opinion leader in Mardin
11) Prof. Dr. Mehmet Yuva, General Coordinator of the Turkish-Syrian Friendship Committee