ANKARA, December 20. /TASS/. Turkey will assist Syria in addressing its energy challenges, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters after returning from the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation summit in Cairo.
"Currently, Syria is facing significant energy issues. I am hopeful that we will resolve all of its energy difficulties soon. Our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will offer them all necessary support," Erdogan said, according to TRT Haber.
According to the president, Turkey will enhance trade relations with Syria, which will help promote peace and stability in the region. He also advocated for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
"We do not expel people who seek refuge in our country. We tell them: ‘return to your home, but voluntarily’," Erdogan said.
According to the Turkish Interior Ministry, there are currently over 2.9 million Syrian refugees residing in Turkey. Previously, Erdogan outlined his plan to facilitate the return of at least 1 million refugees to Syria.