Syria’s Assad arrives in Turkey for historic visit

The signing of the memorandum came after a surprise Syrian decision to hand over 22 Turks suspected of involvement in the bombings.

The strengthening relations are in stark contrast to those in 1998 when Turkey threatened to invade its neighbour if it continued to harbour Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the rebel Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK).

Syria’s expulsion of Ocalan as well as common political interests in the wake of the US-led invasion of Iraq have been the main reasons for the warmer ties.

Turkey and Syria are concerned over the possibility of Kurdish Iraqis declaring independence, a move that both Turkey and Syria fear could lead to their own substantial Kurdish minorities agitating for more powers.

Assad will be in Turkey for three days.