Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan answered questions from members of the press in Elazığ. Fidan assessed the YPG’s statement regarding the dissolution of the autonomous administration and its affiliated military and civilian formations.
Fidan offers cautious assessment of YPG statement
Fidan said the statement’s implementation on the ground needed to be verified, adding that it would be welcome if the declaration were also reflected in practice. He said the step was complementary to the measures Türkiye wanted to take.
Fidan said the development could strengthen Kurdish-Arab brotherhood in Syria and help create an environment in which all Syrians could look to the future with confidence.
Fidan said preserving the identity of Kurds and avoiding the denial of their identity were important elements of Türkiye’s approach. He also stressed that Syria’s national unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity must not be undermined. Fidan said they wanted to see these principles reflected on the ground as well.
Message on resolving problems through dialogue
Fidan said they did not consider developments that would produce negative consequences for Syria appropriate. He said the YPG’s presence in the region had long produced negative consequences not only for Syria but also for Türkiye.
Fidan said problems in the new process could be resolved through mutual understanding, dialogue and peace. He said the statement made in Damascus was positive in terms of its wording and that the development would be viewed even more positively if its implementation matched the statement.
Fidan’s Elazığ meetings and assessment of regional development
Fidan said that during his visit to Elazığ, he held meetings and conducted assessments with Elazığ Governor Numan Hatipoğlu and members of parliament. He said it was a source of pride that efforts to heal the wounds left by the earthquake had progressed, the construction of homes had been completed, the homes had been delivered and citizens had moved into them.
Fidan also described improvements in the economy and an increase in local investment as positive developments. He recalled that before coming to Elazığ, they had traveled to Ahlat with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for celebrations marking the 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, where a Cabinet meeting was held.
Fidan drew attention to Anatolia’s 1,000-year history, which has been home to Turks, Kurds, Arabs and other peoples. He said the Battle of Manzikert gave the history of the Turkish-Islamic world a clear presence in these lands. Fidan described this legacy as an intellectual treasure that must be remembered, reflected upon and safeguarded.
Emphasis on peace and development
Fidan said international competition and rivalry in the modern era had increased the region’s importance, adding that it was necessary to learn from the past and prepare for the future. He highlighted Elazığ’s historical and contemporary role.
Fidan said he had spent the past two days traveling by road through provinces and districts in the region. He stated that regional development and progress moved more quickly in environments free of terrorism and armed conflict. He added that Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia also offered significant opportunities through their natural beauty.
Fidan said they had a vision prioritizing peace, stability, development and prosperity in Türkiye, Syria, Iraq and other parts of the region, and that they were implementing this vision step by step under the leadership of President Erdoğan.
