Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said on August 25 that despite mediation efforts by Russia, Iran and Iraq, there has been no progress in reconciliation between Syria and Turkey.

Speaking to the newly convened People's Council (Parliament), Assad stated, "Russia, Iran and Iraq have put forward initiatives for reconciliation with Turkey, and we responded positively to them, but no progress has been made, despite the sincerity of the mediators," as reported by RIA Novosti.

Assad refuted Ankara's claims that Syria is unwilling to negotiate until Turkish troops withdraw from Syrian territory. He stressed that sovereignty must be the foundation of any initiative.

A diplomatic source in Ankara told the agency that the possibility of talks between the leaders of the two countries in a third country has not been not ruled out, but there are currently no specifics on the timing or location of such a meeting.

The relationship between Ankara and Damascus deteriorated with the onset of the Syrian conflict in 2011, which led to a large influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey.

In 2012, Turkey supported the Syrian armed opposition, and the countries severed diplomatic relations. Turkish troops remain illegally present on Syrian territory.

Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously expressed hope regarding Russia and Iran's role in normalising relations with Syria. However, he stressed that Ankara would not change its stance towards the Syrian opposition.

Earlier in July, Assad said on July 15 that he will only commit to meeting Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan if Damascus and Ankara agree to focus on the core issues of Ankara's backing for "terrorism" and a pullout of Turkish forces from Syrian territory.

"The problem is not the meeting, but its content," a video clip released by the Syrian presidency showed Assad telling reporters in Damascus, Reuters reported.

"What is the basis for the meeting? Would it be ending the reasons for the problem, which are supporting terrorism and withdrawing from Syrian lands?... This is the core of the problem," said Assad.

Turkey and Syria cut ties in 2011 after the Syrian civil war broke out. Erdogan opted to support rebels intent on toppling Assad. The Syrian leader, who has fought the war with Russian and Iranian political and military backing, describes those rebels as terrorists.

In northern Syria, Turkey has created a "safe zone", occupied by Turkish troops. Ankara has also launched multiple cross-border military operations targeting militants it claims threaten Turkey's national security.

Erdogan said earlier this month that he would extend an invitation to Assad at "any time" for possible talks to rebuilt and reset relations. He added: “We have now arrived at a point where, if Bashar Assad takes a step towards improving relations with Turkiye, we will also show that approach towards him.”

Bianet on July 14 reported the Syrian Foreign Ministry as saying that normalisation of ties with Turkey should return to the pre-2011 status, which was “based on the security, welfare and stability of both nations.”