Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, “There is a relationship, of some proportion, between Israel's activity in Syria and the SDF's reluctance. This needs to be said now. This is not a decision of the YPG alone.” he said.
Minister Fidan gave his assessment of the agenda to the Qatar-based Arab television channel Al Jazeera.
Regarding the March 10 agreement reached between the terrorist organization PKK/YPG, which uses the name SDF in Syria, and the Syrian government, and the fact that it has not yet been implemented, Fidan said: “Of course, there is a relationship, a proportionality, between Israel's activity in Syria and the reluctance of 'Kasad' (SDF). This needs to be said now. This is not the decision of the YPG alone.” he said.
Expressing hope that the problems between the Damascus government and the PKK/YPG will be resolved through dialogue, Fidan said: “The Kurds in Syria will be comfortable, the Arabs will be comfortable, everyone will be comfortable. In other words, the picture we want to see is peace and tranquility beyond our borders, for the Syrian people. But being misled by actors outside the region and determining policy based on some signals from them is not good.” he said.
“WHEN ISRAEL REACHES AN AGREEMENT WITH SYRIA, THE YPG WILL COME TOO”
Fidan answered the question whether there is coordination between the “SDF” and Israel: “Of course, the day Israel reaches a certain agreement with Syria, you will see that the YPG will also come.” He replied:
Regarding the possibility that if an agreement is not reached between the SDF and the Syrian government, Fidan said: “I hope there will be no conflict. As I said, conflict does not benefit anyone. The population has to endure it. I hope not, I hope the YPG/PKK will do its part. There are plans for the armed elements to gather under one roof, to gather under the national army. Hopefully there will be progress at this time.” I hope we will not see war again.” he said.
Regarding accusations that there is a “race” between Türkiye and Israel in Syria, Fidan said:
“Who will help the security, unity and integrity of Syria more, not the occupation, division, killing and bombing? He will help in this. Frankly, we do not see ourselves in the same effort, in the same alliance, in the same position with Israel on this issue. In other words, cooperation and support with those who pursue imperialist expansionism, this is very important.”
SECOND PHASE OF THE GAZA PEACE PLAN
Stating that it is not easy to achieve the current stage in the peace process in Gaza, Fidan pointed out that not everything desired can be achieved at this stage and said:
“Humanitarian aid reached a certain level, but access remains a problem. The provisions envisaged in the peace plan have not been implemented much, and unfortunately, Israel continues to kill and martyr Palestinians every day. However, when you look at the violence of the last war and the violence of the massacre, the current situation is one that we support because it really gives the people a breath of fresh air. It should continue. It needs to go further.” anymore.”
Pointing out that there are steps to be taken in the second phase of the peace plan, Fidan said, “First, there has been a decision taken by the United Nations (UN) Security Council for the second phase. The work on it has been completed and the decision has been taken. Now, there are some items that were anticipated in that decision. They need to be implemented.” he said.
Fidan emphasized that great responsibility belongs to the United States and President Donald Trump and made the following assessments:
“We have a very big effort from here. Frankly, we expect some steps on this issue to be taken in the coming days. Especially the issue of establishing a Peace Commission is very important. The issue of the transfer of power to the Palestinians, the transfer of power by Hamas to a Palestinian technical committee, is also very important, and there are many issues such as the creation of a police force.”
“WE ARE READY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY”
Regarding the International Stabilization Force, Fidan said, “With the political will of our President (Recept Tayyip Erdoğan), Türkiye is ready to take all responsibility in resolving the Palestinian issue and ensuring peace. We are ready to assume all responsibility in this issue with our brothers in the region and international stakeholders. If it is necessary to send soldiers to this issue, we are ready to send them to peace.” he said.
Fidan stated that Israel does not want Türkiye to join the International Stabilization Force and said: “Of course, Israel alone has no say in this plan. We do not know what the US and other countries in the region and the conditions will represent. Our position here is very clear. The position of other countries that will send forces is also clear. If the Americans reach a certain negotiating point with Israel, what does it matter to us? If If they don't, that's their business.” he said.
Responding to the question that “Israel's main goal within the International Stabilization Force is to get weapons from Hamas,” Fidan said that they want things to progress according to a natural process. Fidan continued as follows:
“If the peace process continues normally, which is humanitarian aid, the return of people, settlements, economics, all these things happen, and if the Stabilization Forces come and separate the Palestinians and the Israelis at the border, I don't think this issue will be an issue either. I mean, our discussions with Hamas on this issue are obvious. But presenting this as if it were an imposition derails the peace agreement. out of its way, as if it were indispensable, before we begin the other stages of the process, which seems to us a little mean-spirited.”
Fidan pointed out that after a certain point, the Palestinian security forces must take measures related to the security of Gaza and said: “After a certain point, there should be no armed groups. There is already an international mechanism for this, the Stabilization Force, the Peace Board and the mechanisms that we have. I believe that these problems will be resolved as long as the Palestinians feel comfortable and safe.” he said.
SYRIA-ISRAEL SECURITY AGREEMENT
Regarding the discussion on whether there will be a security agreement between Syria and Israel and Syria's options in this regard, Fidan said:
“No one should invade anyone's borders. Israel's borders recognized by the United Nations are clear, Syria's are clear. When you pass this, when you say you only have power in your hands, I have support behind me, I can do it, history gives you a chance now. But one day, when power falls into someone else's hands, the same reaction will be made to you. This time, no one will recognize your borders. So come while there is time and stick to the agreements.” implemented by the international system.”
“Türkiye USES ITS POWER TO STABILIZE”
Emphasizing that Türkiye's policy has always aimed at appeasement, ceasefire, peace, development and tranquility, Fidan said: “Türkiye uses all this power for stability. Whether in Gaza, Syria, Ukraine or Africa.” he said.
Fidan stated that, from Ukraine's perspective, problems have now reached a certain level and the coming days are very serious.
Stating that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will soon send the conditions for an alternative peace plan to the US, Fidan reminded that the first plan with 28 articles appeared and then the Europeans reduced it to 20 articles.
Fidan reminded that there were later discussions with the Russians about that plan, their feedback was conveyed to the United States and discussions were held again with Ukraine, adding that Ukraine had intensive negotiations with European countries during the week and a counter-offer would be presented soon.
Pointing out that the war continued on the ground while these proposals were being discussed, Fidan stated that the dynamics of the war were constantly shifting in favor of or against the parties.
“EUROPE SHOULD HELP UKRAINE MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES”
Fidan pointed out that the Russians seem to be making progress at the moment and said: “Europe needs to help Ukraine make certain difficult choices together with Ukraine. Some choices, some decisions are indeed very difficult decisions for Ukraine. But to prevent greater losses, that is, for the greater good, it is necessary to eliminate evil here, that is, evil… In other words, it is necessary to make choices. I know it is difficult for them.” Especially the land issue is extremely difficult. I mean, God forbid anyone should have it.” It.” he said.
Stating that these choices are difficult and that there are also requirements for future guarantees, Minister Fidan said that these choices are also difficult and that Türkiye continues to facilitate negotiations between the two sides.
Fidan noted that Istanbul is ready to host again and reminded that they held three rounds of meetings last summer.
Reminding that serious progress has been made in negotiations regarding prisoner exchanges and other humanitarian issues, Fidan said, “It lays the foundation for the negotiations to continue today. We are ready to play this active role. Look, the Black Sea has now become an extension of the war. The war has become widespread in the Black Sea. They are now attacking commercial ships and oil tankers in the Black Sea. So, if the war continues, it will spread to other places and other parts of Europe, so God forbid, it must stop here now.” he said.
