By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Azerbaijan said on Tuesday that it is “absolutely essential” to restore peace and stability in Syria after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime over the weekend.
“It is absolutely essential to restore peace and stability in the country and end the civil confrontation,” said an Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry statement.
Indicating that Baku is following the ongoing developments taking place in Syria, the statement said Azerbaijan is holding consultations with Türkiye in this regard.
The statement said Azerbaijan supports Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and hopes that problems in the war-torn country will be resolved in accordance with the will of the Syrian people and through domestic political dialogue.
“The Republic of Azerbaijan, together with the brotherly Republic of Türkiye and other like-minded partners, is ready to contribute to the resolution of the humanitarian problems faced by the Syrian people,” the statement further said.
It also said that work is being conducted to determine the number and whereabouts of Azerbaijani citizens in Syria despite the lack of a diplomatic mission in the country.
"The Republic of Azerbaijan will also continue the repatriation of our citizens from the Syrian Arab Republic to our country through the territory of the Republic of Türkiye that started in 2020," the statement said.
It added Azerbaijan is hopeful that bilateral ties with Syria will be restored and that cooperation will develop based on mutual friendship and partnership after the situation in the country stabilizes.
Assad and his family fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of the capital Damascus early Sunday, marking the collapse of the Baath Party regime, which had been in power in Syria since 1963.