Turkey working to normalize its ties with Syria, prime minister says

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Wednesday that his country is working for the normalization of its diplomatic relations with Syria, after reaching a reconciliation agreement with Israel and returning political and economic ties with Russia to their previous state. In a speech in Ankara to senior members of the AKP party, he said "I'm sure we will normalize relations with Syria as well. For the fight against terrorism to succeed, stability needs to return to Syria and Iraq." Regarding Syrian refugees, he said "Our heart is rich. We will increase our population and number of citizens, just as we have shared the food and bread of this homeland." He claimed malicious accusations against those who escaped death and are stateless and homeless "do not exist in the genes of the Turkish nation or in its traditions."