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Turkey Urges Syria to Grant Kurdish Rights



Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made significant statements following a high-level Turkish delegation's visit to Damascus, where they met with Syria's interim President Ahmed Shara. The visit took place in a complex regional context, occurring shortly after a massacre in Alawite neighborhoods along Syria's coast and the announcement of an agreement between Damascus and Kurdish forces.

Turkey Advocates for Kurdish Rights in Syria

In his most notable remarks, Foreign Minister Fidan emphasized Turkey's consistent message to Syria's new leadership: "Our recommendation to the new administration has always been to grant Syrian Kurds their rights." Fidan stressed this issue is "extremely important for both President Erdoğan and Turkey."

The Turkish diplomat elaborated that rights for Kurds were unfortunately not secured during the Assad era, and now "there is a historic opportunity" to address this shortcoming. However, Fidan made a clear distinction between recognizing Kurdish rights and granting autonomy, which he criticized as "not a good thing" for the region.

"When you make someone autonomous, you're already treating them differently," Fidan explained. "I've never understood for years who this language is trying to benefit. This isn't a kindness." Instead, he advocated for an approach where "no one should feel like a minority" but rather enjoy equal opportunities as part of a larger prosperity.

Condemning Sectarian Violence While Supporting New Government

Regarding recent violence in Syria's coastal areas, Fidan attributed responsibility to "elements of the former regime" engaging in provocations designed to inflame tensions between Alawite and Sunni communities. He described the incident as a "trap" aimed at destabilizing the new government.

"When the new administration didn't take a revanchist stance and instead demonstrated a reasonable, sensible approach, certain circles that didn't get what they wanted organized the provocation themselves," Fidan claimed.

The Foreign Minister emphasized Turkey's consistent call for a constitutional framework where all social segments embrace each other, warning against using sectarian differences as a basis for discrimination.

Syria-Kurdish Agreement and Turkey's Security Concerns

Addressing the recent agreement between Syria's interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Fidan acknowledged the development while expressing caution. He stated that Turkey has consistently called for "Syria's new administration to take the initiative to end the YPG occupation and piracy," referring to Kurdish militant forces Turkey associates with terrorism.

"If there is an agreement signed with good intentions, let it be implemented. But there may be mines laid for the future," Fidan warned, adding that Turkey would be closely monitoring developments to protect its security interests.

Regional Vision and PKK Issue

The Foreign Minister outlined Turkey's regional vision as one where "conflicts end and economic development begins." He addressed Worker's Party of Kurdistan (PKK, outlawed in Turkey and many countries) leader Abdullah Öcalan's reported call for the organization to dissolve itself, saying the group should heed this advice.

"The organization should see this as a historic opportunity and begin the process of dissolving itself," Fidan stated, recalling a similar process that began in 2013 but was derailed by "regional actors who deceived the organization."

Fidan concluded by emphasizing that Turkey would continue strengthening its democracy while fighting "its enemies with the most destructive force," noting that the country is prepared for any scenario regarding the Kurdish issue.
(NS)
Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry

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