10.12.2024 23:20
In a speech during the budget discussions at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made a statement regarding the situation in Syria. Minister Fidan said, "Israel is threatening Syria's territorial integrity. We will not allow Syria to become a haven for terrorism."
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Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan made statements during the budget discussions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). Stating that Israel now threatens the territorial integrity of Syria, Minister Fidan emphasized that they will not allow Syria to become a haven for terrorism.
Minister Fidan said: "Our esteemed President has called for national reconciliation, anticipating the upcoming process in Syria. Unfortunately, the regime has failed to seize this opportunity. It has been Turkey, with the will of our esteemed President, who has extended a hand to the Syrian people under all circumstances. Turkey has continued to stand by the Syrian people alone. In the future, we will continue to stand by them with all our support. We expect the new Syria to come to life. We want to see a Syria that does not produce instability for its neighbors. It is now time to unite and rebuild the country. Syrians will now be able to return to their own lands. Turkey places great importance on Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We will continue our efforts with regional actors on this issue.
"WE WILL NOT ALLOW SYRIA TO BECOME A HAVEN FOR TERRORISM"
In addition to the contacts we held in Doha last week, we are conducting intense diplomacy with many countries. Syria is being thoroughly evaluated, and measures are being taken. Unfortunately, we are witnessing Israel's attempts to benefit from the developments in Syria by disregarding international law. Israel threatens Syria's territorial integrity. Israel is now also threatening the future of our Syrian brothers. Netanyahu considers the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. As Turkey, we will continue to stand by our Syrian brothers as we always have. We will not allow Syria to become a haven for terrorism.
"WE WILL DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE PKK FROM BENEFITING FROM THE CURRENT SITUATION"
We will do whatever is necessary to prevent ISIS and the PKK from benefiting from the current situation. We will not hesitate to express our expectation of cooperation in this struggle to our friends and allies at every opportunity. The events in Gaza render words insufficient in the face of the escalation and instability caused by these attacks in the region. The sidelining of diplomacy in Ukraine is turning the region into a fire circle. Since the first day of the war, Turkey has aimed to expose Israel's actions worldwide and put an end to the atrocities.
"WE HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD IN STOPPING ARMS SALES TO ISRAEL"
Israel has killed 44,000 Palestinians, including at least 16,000 children. Palestinians have been condemned to hunger and infectious diseases. Humanitarian aid has not been allowed to enter. To date, we have sent 88,000 tons of aid to Gaza. Contrary to those who wish to malign our support for Palestine with ill intentions, we completely halted trade with Israel on May 2. We have called for international mechanisms to hold Israel accountable under international law. We continue to engage in numerous initiatives on international platforms. We have taken the lead in stopping arms sales to Israel. Israel continues its aggression in the region with the diplomatic, economic, and military support of some countries. We are also striving to isolate Israel within the international community.
"THERE WILL BE NO PEACE AND TRANQUILITY IN THE REGION AS LONG AS BLOOD IS SHED IN PALESTINE"
In any case, lasting peace in the Middle East depends on a two-state solution. The ceasefire achieved in Lebanon is not sufficient to extinguish the fire in the region. There will be no peace and tranquility in the region as long as blood is shed in Palestine. We support Ukraine's territorial integrity. While maintaining our close cooperation with Iraq recently, we are making every effort to keep the country outside the spiral of regional violence.
In 2024, we intensified our contacts with Iraq in the fight against terrorism. Iraq declared the PKK illegal in 2024. Following the recent developments in Syria, our cooperation with Iraq has gained even more importance. Our relations with Iran are significant. We are continuously working to further institutionalize our relations. The establishment of peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia will promote development and stability in the region. Developments in Georgia have once again demonstrated the existence of sensitive balances in the region. The involvement of third parties could complicate developments in Georgia even further.
"WE AIM TO INTENSIFY OUR CLOSE RELATIONS WITH EU COUNTRIES"
The stability of Afghanistan is crucial for the security of the region. Turkey supports efforts in this direction. Our relations with our brother country Pakistan hold special importance. With the will of our esteemed President, we continue to take steps to revitalize the full membership process to the EU. What we expect from the EU is to display a similar attitude. We aim to intensify our close relations with EU countries. It is out of the question for us to give up on the sovereign equality of the Turkish Cypriot people. We emphasize this issue on all platforms, especially the UN. We continue our efforts regarding the positive agenda in Greece.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO CONTINUE THIS DIALOGUE WITH THE US ADMINISTRATION"
We are protecting our rights and interests in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. We are making intense efforts to protect the rights and interests of our kin and related communities. Our defense industry, which has made significant progress, has become an important tool of our foreign policy. Our national and domestic products also contribute to the security of friendly and allied countries. Hosting the NATO summit in 2025 is a testament to the importance we attach to the alliance. We continue consultations with the US on many issues. Despite some differences in views within the 72 years of alliance, we do not shy away from maintaining our contacts. We are determined to continue this dialogue with the new US administration.
Details are coming...
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