Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that the future of the Syrian opposition and the territories under its control are linked to United Nations resolutions. He highlighted the necessity for Turkey to take certain steps in cooperation with the Syrian regime.
In statements reported by Sky News Arabia, Fidan said, “Turkey must collaborate with the Syrian regime on issues such as border security, combating terrorism, and the safe return of refugees.”
Fidan further noted that “the situation of the Syrian opposition and the areas it controls must be addressed in accordance with United Nations resolutions.”
Recently, the Turkish Foreign Minister remarked that Syria is “facing major crises that will require extended periods to resolve,” and acknowledged that “contacts with the Syrian regime have been ongoing for a long time, but have yet to yield positive results.”
He added, “All diplomatic channels remain open with the Syrian regime. Ankara’s desire to normalize relations is natural and in everyone’s best interest. Our country is not in a weak position regarding the Syrian crisis; we are committed to finding a solution.”
“Turkey doesn’t impose anything”
Regarding Turkey’s stance on the Syrian opposition, Fidan stated that Turkey “does not impose anything on the Syrian opposition but stands firmly against all terrorist organizations within Syrian territory.”
He also emphasized that “the Turkish government does not forcibly return any Syrian refugees,” and noted that “the issues of fighting terrorism and handling refugees will be part of the negotiations.”
In recent weeks, senior Turkish officials have announced their intention to normalize relations with the Syrian regime. The goal is to find common solutions to issues such as the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northeastern Syria and the return of Syrian refugees.
At the beginning of July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan mentioned the possibility of inviting Bashar al-Assad to visit Turkey, in coordination with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Erdogan explained, “We may invite Assad. If Putin can visit Turkey, this may initiate a new process.”
A week ago, during a press conference on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., Erdogan reiterated his invitation to Bashar al-Assad for a meeting in Turkey or a third country, reaffirming his determination to normalize relations with the Syrian regime.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
