Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday to discuss key regional developments, including the U.N. chief’s ongoing visit to Syria and his upcoming trip to the island of Cyprus, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

The call came amid intensified diplomatic efforts across the region, with both sides exchanging views on developments in Syria and the U.N.'s role in supporting regional stability and peace initiatives.

Earlier on Sunday, Fidan also held separate talks with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The discussions focused on the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States and broader regional developments.

Meanwhile, Guterres announced during a news conference in Damascus that the United Nations will submit a detailed report to the Security Council later this month documenting Israeli violations in Syria.

The U.N. chief described violations of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as “unacceptable” and called on Israel to comply with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

“The atrocities Syria has witnessed have not broken the Syrian people’s resolve to pursue their legitimate aspirations,” Guterres said, while also warning that current U.N. humanitarian assistance is meeting only about 20 percent of the country's needs.

Guterres arrived in Damascus on Saturday for a three-day official visit, during which he met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. During the meetings, he reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, while urging the international community to support the country’s reconstruction and economic recovery after more than 13 years of conflict.

Syria’s new leadership, which assumed power in December 2024, has launched efforts to rebuild the country's economy, infrastructure, and state institutions. Although several Western countries, including the United States, have begun easing economic sanctions, international investment has remained limited. The World Bank estimates Syria’s post-war reconstruction costs could reach approximately $216 billion.

Following his Syria visit, Guterres is scheduled to travel to Cyprus from July 27 to 29 as part of his good offices mission aimed at advancing efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.

According to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the secretary-general will meet Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus President Tufan Erhurman and Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Christodoulides, as well as other stakeholders, to discuss measures to advance the peace process and support stability on the island through the work of the U.N. Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).

The series of diplomatic engagements underscores growing international efforts to address multiple regional challenges, including the situation in Syria, the Cyprus peace process, and broader geopolitical developments in the Middle East. (ILKHA)