BAAB AL HAWA-SYRIAN-TURKISH BORDER, 25 January 2005 — The improvement the Syrian-Turkish political relationship witnessed during the past few years has left its social impacts on the peoples of both countries, as tens of thousands of Turkish people crossed the borders this year to exchange Eid greetings with their Syrian relatives. Syrian immigration sources said that more than 21,000 Turkish citizens entered Syria trough Bab Al Hawa crossing point only to meet their Syrian relatives during the first and second day of Eid Al-Adha holiday.
“There are thousands of others who crossed the borders through other entry points in the governorates of Idleb, Lattakia, and Hassaka. They can stay in Syria for up to 48 hours during which they can visit their relatives and tour various parts of the country,” the sources said. The Turkish visitors arrived in Bab Al Hawa in groups on board Turkish buses, and they were accompanied by a high-ranking official Turkish delegation, including the governor of the Turkish border province of Antakya, Abdulqader Sari.
They were welcomed at the borders by the Governor of Idleb, Saeed Daud Elia, commander in chief of Idleb police force, Brig. Fuad Sultan, and other senior Syrian officials, in addition to their relatives who organized a huge music concert at this border town to celebrate the occasion.
“This is the fruit of good relationships between Turkey and Syria. The governments in both countries are working hard to improve mutual ties and increase the number of people who can exchange visits with their relatives on both sides during the coming years,” said Elia. Sultan said that the Syrian government provided all possible means to make the gathering of Turkish and Syrian relatives a “happy annual tradition.
He added that the improved Syrian-Turkish relations resulted in stronger social, cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
In Lattakia, Governor Zahed Haj Moussa also welcomed Sari, his accompanying delegation, and thousands of Turkish citizens who came to celebrate Eid Al-Adha with their Syrian relatives in the governorate. Earlier, he issued orders to send tens of buses to Turkey to transport all those who registered to visit Lattakia and spend the Eid holiday with their relatives.
He also gave instructions to provide the crossing point of Kassab in the governorate with all facilities, including ambulances, to ensure the smooth movement of the Turkish visitors. Official sources in the city said that some 9,084 Turkish citizens visited their relatives in Lattakia during the first two days of the Eid holiday this year.
“We have spent an extraordinary Eid holiday with our Turkish relatives this year. They came here to see us for the first time in their lives. We exchanged with them gifts, talks, and prayed to God that our meeting become an annual tradition,” said Ahmed Guja, a Syrian engineer staying in Lattakia.
