ISTANBUL
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Sunday said Syria’s territorial integrity is “non-negotiable," and reaffirmed that there’s no place for the PKK/YPG terror group in the country.
“This is not a time to wait and see. We must take action. The territorial integrity of Syria is non-negotiable. We want to reiterate that there is no place for the PKK/YPG in Syria,” Fidan said in a joint news conference with Ahmed al Sharaa, leader of the new Syrian administration, in the capital Damascus.
"This terrorist organization is occupying the lands of the Syrian people and stealing their natural resources. In today's meeting, I once again saw how determined the Syrian people are in their fight against the PKK/YPG. The PKK/YPG must dissolve itself as soon as possible,” he added.
Expressing hope that his visit will encourage high-level contacts from other countries as well, Fidan urged Arab nations, as well as the entire global community, to engage with the new administration in Syria.
He stressed Syria's darkest period is left behind, and better days are ahead.
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.
With the ouster of Assad, the terrorist PKK/YPG has been seeking to exploit the country's instability and power vacuum.
Fidan urges lifting of sanctions on Syria
All ethnic, religious, and sectarian groups in Syria will live in peace and prosperity, Fidan said, adding that the future of the country will be determined by Syrians themselves.
Pointing out that the new administration needs an opportunity and means to implement its plans, the foreign minister urged to lift sanctions on the country.
"The lifting of sanctions on Syria, the normalization of the country, and the establishment of security are crucial in this regard,” he said.
Emphasizing that preparations for the reconstruction of Syria should begin as soon as possible, Fidan said: "Creating an environment that will enable the voluntary and safe return of our Syrian brothers to their country can only be achieved in this way."
The Turkish state, its people, and its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will always stand by Syria and its people, he added.
The minister said it is “absolutely unacceptable” to tolerate Israel exploiting the current situation to seize Syria's territories, referring to Israel’s recent attacks on Syrian lands after the fall of the Ba’ath regime.
Fidan called on Tel Aviv to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and not to further jeopardize regional security, urging the international community to take concrete action against Israel’s unlawful actions.
The top diplomat said that during his talks he stressed on the need for an orderly transition and stability in Syria, with security, the rule of law, and minority protection as key priorities.
Establishing a peaceful and just Syria would be the greatest success, he said, stressing that restoring all state functions is key to achieving this.
"As Türkiye, we’re ready to share our expertise in restructuring state institutions and building capacity," Fidan said, adding that Türkiye will also fully support Syria in its fight against the Daesh/ISIS terror group. “We will never allow ISIS (Daesh) to exploit the situation.”
The minister also responded to a question about US President-elect Donald Trump's stance on the PKK/YPG issue in Syria, saying Trump inherited this problem from the era of Barack Obama.
"Mr. Trump has several significant qualities, one of which is being straightforward and focusing solely on US interests. When he looked at the problem, he saw that if a solution was found for ISIS detainees, there was no need for Americans to stay here (Syria). He could not understand why they were there or what benefits it brought to America.”
"I believe that in the new term, Trump will approach this issue differently, with a more determined and stronger will, prioritizing American interests and only American interests," he added.
Türkiye stood by Syrians since beginning of revolution
Al Sharaa, for his part, said he discussed Syria's future with Fidan, adding that “friendly country” Türkiye has stood by Syrians since beginning of the revolution.
He said they also deliberated on the importance of having a strong government, particularly the significance of the Defense Ministry and ensuring that weapons remain under the control of the state.
He said they talked on how strategic relations between Ankara and Damascus will evolve in the coming days, emphasizing the importance of ties in political, economic, and social fields.
The head of the new administration said the only arms in Syria will be held by the state, arguing that any armed groups, whether in areas under their control or those under the control of the terrorist PKK/YPG, will not be accepted.
The Syrian leader also called for the removal of international sanctions imposed on Syria due to the erstwhile regime’s violent crackdown on its citizens, saying it would enable the country's reconstruction.
Before the recent conflicts, he said many groups in Syria had agreed on establishing the Defense Ministry and unifying under a single government.
“During the revolution, there were many groups, but that can't continue in the state. In the coming days, a Defense Ministry will be announced, and a committee of senior military officials will be formed to create Syria's future army. Afterwards, the groups will disband."
