ANKARA, 18 December 2003 — Turkey and Syria signed a memorandum of understanding yesterday to bolster cooperation in combating crime and terrorism, the Anatolia news agency reported.
“The two countries have confirmed that improving cooperation in the fight against terrorism is very important for regional peace,” Turkish Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu told a press conference with his Syrian counterpart Ali Hammud.
The accord followed a surprise gesture last month by Syria which handed over 22 Turkish nationals wanted for questioning over a series of suicide attacks in Istanbul that killed 62 people, including four bombers.
All but one of the suspects, many of them students at a religious school, were released following interrogation. One man was charged with aiding an illegal organization and remanded in custody.
Hammud pledged that Damascus would turn over other suspects sought by Turkey if they were found in Syria.
“Syria also has an interest in the capture and extradition of these people to Turkey,” the minister said.
Turkey and Syria have recently seen a significant improvement in ties following years of tension.
