Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa affirmed his country’s adherence to its sovereignty over the Golan Heights, stressing that any approach to this issue must be based on the principles of international law and the rights of the Syrian people, while keeping the option of negotiations open as a path to addressing the conflict.
He said, “Any recognition of Israel’s claim to the occupied Syrian Golan is invalid,” noting the possibility of entering into long-term negotiations to resolve the issue.
In remarks during a dialogue session at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, he pointed out that “recognizing Israel’s claim to the occupied Syrian Golan is an acknowledgment that violates the rights of the Syrian people.”
He explained that “no state can relinquish part of its territory without the consent of its people, who are the rightful owners,” emphasizing that the international community has recognized the Golan as occupied Syrian land.
He also revealed that Damascus is working on a new security approach, saying that Syria is seeking an agreement that guarantees “Israel’s withdrawal to the 1974 lines.”
In a broader context, al-Sharaa stressed that his country is moving toward strengthening regional stability through dialogue, noting that “the circumstances the region is experiencing today are difficult and require exceptional solutions.”
He affirmed that “the conflict in the region is not a product of the moment, but has deep roots in history,” indicating that Syria is distancing itself from bloc politics and seeks to play a consensual role.
He added: “Syria seeks to be a bridge between the major powers,” pointing to balanced relations with international and regional powers within an approach based on diplomacy and the reduction of conflicts.
