WASHINGTON
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara presented its views on Syria during talks on Monday in Washington, DC.
"How can the problem areas, particularly in southern and northern Syria and other regions, be managed more effectively? How can work be done on the Caesar Act? We had the opportunity to examine these issues in detail and present our views and positions," he told Turkish media outlets, including Anadolu, in the US capital.
Fidan said he had been invited to meet with numerous US officials at the White House, including his counterpart Marco Rubio, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack.
"Of course, my presence at the White House today coincided with the visit of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa," he added.
Fidan said that while al-Sharaa was meeting with US President Donald Trump and his team, he was also invited to join them.
"We then had the opportunity to discuss Türkiye's general views on Syria, opportunities for cooperation with the US, and numerous issues related to Syria's development, unity, solidarity, peace and regional security," he added.
Al-Sharaa's visit was the first by a Syrian leader to the White House since the nation gained independence nearly 80 years ago.
Fidan highlighted that US Vice President JD Vance also joined their meeting, which included Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Rubio, Witkoff, and Barrack.
The minister noted that he later separately met with Witkoff and Barrack to "go over in detail" many issues, especially on Palestine.
He said the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war was also on the agenda.
"We had lengthy discussions on this matter. That is, what can be done at this critical juncture to end this war? What role can Türkiye play? How can we work with the US on this issue? Our president (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) has some views on this matter," he said.
Fidan said they also exchanged views "extensively" on the US position in the Iran nuclear negotiations and later he informed President Erdogan about the results of the talks.
- Syria 'could face further fragmentation'
Turning to Syria, Fidan pointed out that the focus is currently on what can be done to permanently lift the sanctions -- called the Syria Caesar Civilian Protection Act -- to help the Syrian economy get back on its feet.
"Because some limited exemptions were made using presidential powers, paving the way for certain economic activities, (but) the law needs to be completely repealed and re-passed by Congress to bring it to a point where presidential exemptions are no longer necessary.
"It was incredibly important that the administration shared the same view and made such a recommendation to Congress. Therefore, I believe both al-Sharaa's statements and our statements there are of paramount importance," he added.
Fidan emphasized that his talks were also important in terms of addressing the situation in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, coordinated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Damascus government, and in the areas where the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, which uses the name "SDF" in northeastern Syria, are located.
"Actually, we're seeing a pattern like this: in the north, northeast and south. If the problems here aren't managed carefully, there's a possibility of a problem affecting the country's entire regional and territorial integrity. In other words, the country could face further fragmentation. It's certainly important that the Americans understand this, and I see they do.
"In other words, it's paramount that the country be one and whole, but also that everyone has security of life and property, and that various ethnic and religious groups aren't under any pressure in this regard. Of course, there's a great effort to find this golden ratio. At the same time, they must not pose a threat to anyone. We've had serious conversations and exchanged views on this matter."
Türkiye's evaluations on draft Security Council resolution on Gaza 'ongoing'
Turning to the Gaza Strip, Fidan said that the ceasefire process in Gaza and the ongoing process regarding a draft resolution being discussed in the UN Security Council are "extraordinarily important," adding that there is a group of actors who believe that such a Council resolution is necessary for the implementation of the subsequent stages of the announced comprehensive peace agreement.
Last week, the US mission to the UN said that Ambassador Michael Waltz convened a high-level meeting of the 10 elected members of the Council, and also Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss a forthcoming resolution on Gaza.
According to the mission, the draft resolution welcomes the establishment of a Board of Peace and authorizes the creation of an International Stabilization Force, both key components of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan.
"As Türkiye, we see it as our number one priority to ensure that all stages of the peace plan are implemented in a way that benefits everyone, that the genocide is stopped, and that humanitarian aid begins," Fidan said.
Fidan said there are some drafts, and discussions are currently ongoing.
Last week, Türkiye hosted a meeting on Gaza in Istanbul attended by foreign ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Jordan and representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
"As you know, we hosted a meeting in Istanbul last week…What is needed regarding the current process? What should be the fundamental parameters of an international decision to be issued by the UN Security Council? Because so many different actors have different perspectives and priorities. So bringing these (in a draft) together can be a bit challenging. What kind of text can be compatible with all of them? Of course, it's impossible to fully satisfy everyone," he said.
Türkiye's evaluations on the draft resolution are ongoing, he said, adding: "We're closely following and working with our colleagues. We're speaking with our partners. In my meetings with various actors at the White House throughout the day today, we had the opportunity to express our views on the matter (draft resolution) at various levels."