During the Fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Following the meeting, President Aliyev extended an official invitation to al-Sharaa to visit Azerbaijan, expressing hope for renewed cooperation between the two countries.

Aliyev stated Azerbaijan is ready to support Syria’s reconstruction, especially in the areas of energy, infrastructure, and security. In return, al-Sharaa acknowledged the importance of Azerbaijani support for Syria’s rebuilding efforts.

The two leaders also agreed on mutual high-level visits and increased business ties. The move marks a thaw in relations that had been tense since Syria’s previous pro-Armenian stance during the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh.

Aliyev reminded observers of Syria’s earlier alignment with Armenia and criticized Armenia’s attempt to now offer aid to Syria, calling it hypocritical. The Azerbaijani embassy in Syria, closed in 2012 due to security concerns, resumed operations in March 2025.

Source: OC Media/Aytan Farhadova