26.08.2026 19:11
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan assessed the statement from Damascus regarding the decision of the terrorist organization YPG/SDG to dissolve itself. Fidan emphasized that they will professionally follow up on the practical and on-the-ground reflection of this step, which they positively welcome in textual terms.
Following the celebrations of the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who moved on to Elazığ, met with the Elazığ Governorship and the provincial protocol and received information about the work in the city. After his visit, Minister Fidan made assessments regarding the agenda and regional developments to local media outlets Kanal 23 and Kanal Fırat.
"ELAZIĞ'S POST-EARTHQUAKE SITUATION IS PRIDE-WORTHY"
Minister Fidan emphasized that it is pride-worthy that Elazığ has healed its wounds after the earthquake, that the residences have been completed and handed over to their owners, and that citizens have settled into their homes. Expressing his satisfaction with the improvement of economic indicators in the city and the increase in local investments, Fidan recalled the Malazgirt Victory program in Ahlat and said:
"We were in Ahlat with our President; both a cabinet meeting was held there and our President addressed our nation. On the occasion of this victory, we once again commemorated how the thousand-year history of Anatolia was built together by our Turkish, Kurdish, and Arab brothers. The Malazgirt Victory marking a turning point in Turkish-Islamic history and the beginning of the construction of a civilization is a legacy of the past that we must all embrace. Today, international competition makes our existence even more important; we must draw lessons from the past and prepare for the future in the best possible way. We have once again seen Elazığ's role in both historical and modern times; I am proud of Elazığ."
"IF IT IS AS STATED IN PRACTICE, IT IS HIGHLY POSITIVE"
Evaluating the statement made in Damascus regarding the dissolution of the PKK terrorist organization's Syrian extension YPG/SDG, Minister Fidan stated that Turkey will also follow the issue on the ground and said:
"Our job is to act professionally and check its implementation on the ground. If it is as stated, it is a pleasing development and complementary to the steps we want to take. It would be one of the steps that will strengthen Kurdish-Arab brotherhood in Syria and ensure that all Syrians look to the future with confidence. While the Kurdish identity is preserved and there is no denial of identity, we emphasize that Syria's national sovereignty and territorial integrity must not be disrupted, and we want to see this in practice as well."
"WE HAVE A VISION PRIORITIZING REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STABILITY"
Stating that the presence of terrorism in the region has long worked against Turkey, but that in the new process, problems will be resolved through dialogue and peace, Fidan conveyed his impressions from his regional trips:
"We have been traveling around the region by road for two days. We see how fast development progresses in environments without terrorism and where weapons do not speak, and the opportunities offered by the unique nature in the East and Southeast. We have a vision that prioritizes peace, stability, development, and prosperity in Syria, Iraq, our own lands, and our region. We are implementing this vision step by step under the leadership of our President. The statement made in Damascus is positive in terms of its text; if it is as stated in practice, it is highly positive."