Damascus: Turkish Ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, revealed an upcoming visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Syria. Yilmaz stated in a press conference last night that Erdogan intends to make his first visit to Syria before the end of this year and that he is preparing to pray at the Umayyad Mosque.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Yilmaz indicated that performing prayers at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is one of Erdogan’s greatest joys at present. In a related context, Yilmaz explained that his country is working to facilitate visa procedures and ease the movement of Syrians wishing to travel within Turkey or return to it. This effort is part of steps aimed at reducing restrictions and procedures related to travel between the two countries.

The Turkish ambassador’s statements come amidst growing rapprochement between Damascus and Ankara and an increased level of coordination between the two sides on a number of political, economic, and security issues.