Turkey and Syria abolished visa requirements reciprocally today through a ceremony held at Kilis Öncüpınar border gate with participation of Turkish and Syrian foreign ministers.

As hurdles are dissolved, Turkey and Syria take bold steps towards securing peace and stability in their region through new partnerships that is based on mutual trust.

Two neighboring countries signed protocols today for abolishing visa requirements reciprocally in line with enhancing bilateral relations. Overcoming major problems concerning terror that triggered tensions just a few years ago, Turkey and Syria diversify and bolster bilateral relations at the highest level.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu met his Syrian counterpart in Aleppo in the morning and signed the protocols in Turkey’s Gaziantep city in the afternoon. Ten ministers, in fields of Internal Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Energy and Natural Resources, Transportation, National Defense, Environment, Health, Education and Agriculture, accompanied Davutoğlu during the day and attended the ceremony.

"The main slogan of this meeting is common destiny, history and future, and we will build the future together," Davutoğlu told reporters in Aleppo. "We are going to establish our future together; we will enhance economic cooperation. We hope this partnership to be a good model for the region."

Besides, in line with efforts aiming at stability in the region, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will pay a visit to Iraq, meeting Iraqi President Calal Talabani, Vice President Tariq Al-Hashami and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki respectively.

Prime Minister Erdoğan will then launch and co-chair the first meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council with his Iraqi counterpart Maliki. The Council meeting will be accompanied by Turkish and Iraqi cabinet members.