Sevilay Tuncer, Head of Environmental Policy and Urban Planning in Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP), affirmed that the cooperation between Syria and Turkey to restore historic buildings damaged by the practices of the former regime comes within the framework of cultural collaboration between the two countries.
“The aim of this cooperation is not limited to restoring historic buildings, but extends to raising international awareness of the damage caused by the war and inviting the global community to participate in safeguarding this shared cultural heritage.” Tuncer told Anadolu Agency.
Tuncer noted that “a delegation from the party’s Department of Environmental Policy and Urban Planning visited Aleppo last week, holding a series of meetings with Syrian officials to discuss ways of restoring archaeological sites damaged by the bombardment of the former regime.”
“The Turkish delegation met with Aleppo Governor Azzam al-Gharib, and both sides agreed to form a joint technical team to draft restoration plans and provide technical support, covering prominent heritage sites.” She explained.
She stressed that the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) will continue its efforts to restore antiquities in Aleppo and Damascus, adding that Turkey will provide training and technical expertise to Syrian staff, while hosting Syrian experts in Turkey to qualify them according to internationally recognized restoration standards.
MHD Ibrahim
