Turkish Vice President: More than 273,000 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned to their country from Turkey in 6 months.

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay announced today, Friday, the voluntary return of over 273,000 Syrian refugees to their country from Turkey within 6 months, expecting this number to increase during the summer coinciding with the end of the school year and the improvement of the situation in Syria. The Anadolu Agency quoted Oktay as saying during a speech in Gaziantep province in southern Turkey at the opening of the main building dedicated to supporting the voluntary return of refugees: "Turkey has passed a test worthy of its history and civilization regarding the Syrian file by hosting for years our Syrian brothers fleeing from an oppressive regime." Oktay pointed out that a new era has begun in Syria after the fall of the ousted Assad regime, stating: "We may have suffered from some difficulties and problems associated with this matter for a long period, but we will see the benefits of it for the government and the people for future generations." Oktay explained that Turkey, as a nation and government, has shown a historic stance against all provocations and misleading information regarding the Syrian refugee file in the country, adding: "Our president has expressed an extremely firm stance on this issue, despite the occasional political costs." The Turkish Vice President also affirmed his country's support for the unity, stability, and sovereignty of Syrian territories, saying: "We look forward to developing Syria's institutional structure under a political umbrella that includes all its spectrums, reforming its infrastructure, and accelerating its economic and social development as soon as possible." Oktay noted that there have been untapped potentials in Syria for many years, emphasizing that a stable Syria will grow rapidly in the coming years.