Turkey's president says he remains hopeful that a reconciliation with Syrian President Bashar Assad can be achieved.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump late on Wednesday and discussed improving cooperation between the two countries in his new term.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani arrived in Ankara on Thursday to chair a Turkey-Qatar High Strategic Committee meeting with President Tayyip Erdogan, after which the sides are expected to sign off on investment-related accords.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed optimism Wednesday about further reconciliation with Syrian President Bashar Assad to resolve longstanding tensions between their countries, Turkish state-run media reported.