DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Good afternoon.

This morning we woke up to a new Syria. The regime has collapsed. And control in the country is changing hands. Of course, this didn’t happen overnight. For the last thirteen years, the country has been in turmoil. However, since 2016, through Astana Process, we deescalated the situation and basically froze the war. This precious time should have been used by the regime to reconcile with its own people. However, the regime did not use the opportunity. When all attempts failed, President Erdoğan himself extended his hand to the regime to open a way to achieve national unity and peace in Syria. That was also denied. The regime failed to focus on the vital issues. State institutions couldn’t function properly to respond to the needs of the Syrian people. It couldn’t provide the basic services. Half of the population was displaced both internally and externally. This caused flows of migration which brought risk to the neighboring countries as well as Europe. The regime was relying on drug money to survive.

As of this morning, Syria has reached a stage where the Syrian people would shape the future of their own country. Today there is hope. The Syrian people cannot achieve this alone. The international community must support the Syrian people. Türkiye attaches great importance to the national unity, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and the wellbeing of the Syrian people. Thereby, millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can return to their land. The new administration must be established in an orderly manner. The principle of inclusiveness must never be compromised. There must never be a desire for revenge. It is time to unite and reconstruct the country. Today we call on all actors, in and outside the region, to act with prudence and calm and to refrain from steps that could further destabilize the region. The territorial integrity and unity of Syria must be preserved.

Dear friends, we have to be watchful during this transition period. We are in communication with the groups to make sure that terrorist organizations, especially DAESH and PKK, are not taking advantage of the situation. Türkiye is committed to continue to fight against terrorism. All minorities, non-Muslims, Christians, non-Arabs, Kurds should be treated equally. Any possible chemical weapons inventory or related materials must be secured. The new governing body should be inclusive of all parties. Opposition groups should be united now. State institutions should be preserved and work properly. With this understanding we will continue to support efforts to establish stability and security in Syria.

For the last week we had intense dialogue and deliberations with regional and international actors. Yesterday was particularly important day, especially during the Doha Forum, for the future of Syria. First, Astana countries, Türkiye, Russia, Iran came together to discuss the developments. We really appreciate the constructive approaches of Russia and Iran. UN Special Envoy for Syria was also with us. He also made enormous contribution, we welcome his efforts. Then we came together with Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt and Jordan. We also thank those brotherly countries for their constructive approaches. We had discussions with Americans as well. We will continue cooperation with regional and international actors. Thank you. Any questions?

SORU- Do you know where President Assad is, Mr. Foreign Minister?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- No, I cannot say for sure. No, I cannot comment on that. I mean I think he is somewhere but I cannot comment on that.

SORU- Inside Syria?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Probably outside of Syria.

SORU- I want to ask about the political process that needs to take place now to ensure Syria goes through a stable transition. What is Türkiye doing to ensure that the transition is stable and what confidence do you have in this process?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Well, thank you. First of all, we have been, as you know, as I stated during my statement, we have been working for the stability of Syria for a long time. We are familiar with the actors, we are familiar with the problems. They are challenging ones, we have to work very hard. As I stated, we have to work together with Syrian people, not only Türkiye but also regional actors, the international actors, to make sure that there is a good and smooth transition period, no more harm to the civilian people, start delivering basic services for the people and most importantly to assure the regional countries that the new administration and new Syria will not pose a threat for its neighbors. On the contrary, the new Syria will address the existing problems, will eliminate the threats.

SORU- Can I ask did you or your government speak to Mr. Assad in his final days and hours inside the country and what effort did he make to try staying in power?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Well, unfortunately, as you know, I mean especially our President, for the last couple of months, he has been trying to reach out the Syrian regime, particularly Mr. Assad. But it all failed, you know. We knew that something was coming and because as I said we are very much familiar with the problems of Syria and we know how much pressure is mounting on the groups because of refugees and other issues, especially the economic ones. And the regime was slowly decaying and collapsing and we were seeing this. Therefore, we really wanted to do something to prevent this. But the short answer is no, we did not speak to them, no contact at all.

SORU- How did the war last for nearly 15 years and in just almost 15 days we have Israel and opposition at the same border now so will there be any conflict, and what will be the role of Türkiye in rebuilding Syria?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Well, thank you. First of all, since the Astana Process froze the war in 2016, regime has had a precious time to address the existing problems. But we knew that up until 2016, regime was running on a high adrenaline so they did not care about their problems, their institutional incapacity and the other issues. However, they could have used this precious time to address their existing problems but they did not. Instead, we saw a slow decay and collapse of the regime. That explains why, almost without firing one bullet, Aleppo fell immediately and followed by the other cities. And Türkiye will continue with the neighboring countries to reconstruct and the existing administration is also very much important for us to work together. In whatever capacity, in however way, we can help to address the economic problems and other problems, we will certainly continue to work with the new administration.

SORU- How will or should the coordination be ensured among so many groups during this process? And as well as, what is your assessment about Trump's statements? Because it was interesting. We see American officials once again emphasizing the threat of DAESH and signaling continuing cooperation with another terrorist organization, YPG. So, what will Ankara do to prevent the establishment of a terrorist state in Syria, and could a new operation be on the agenda at this stage, or should we expect new agreements with the new administration of U.S.? What will be the fate of the regions cleared of terrorism by Türkiye and Syrian National Army?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN- Well, thank you. As you know, I mean, the opposition forces are comprised of different groups, but they have a coordination mechanism among themselves. I think this mechanism will improve in the coming days, because right now, they have a bigger job at hand. So, I hope and we wish that they can come together and they can start working in an orderly manner to have a good transition period by including all the parties inside Syria. As for terrorism part of your question, we are equally concerned about DAESH and other terrorist organizations, taking advantage of this situation, the transition period, so we are watchful, mindful to make sure that DAESH and PKK is not taking advantage of this situation. And we are in contact with our American friends. They know how sensitive we are on YPG/PKK issue. They know whatever threat comes from them to Türkiye, we will immediately respond and react, and I think, with incoming Administration in US, we will have some conversations on this issue as well.

SORU: …

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN: As I said, no. There was no communication coming from Assad side.

SORU: …

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN: There are very legitimate Kurdish parties that we work together in Syria, Northern Syria and they have been part of the wider and broader Syrian opposition for a long time. However, any PKK extension in Syria cannot be considered a legitimate partner to engage with any talks in Syria. Because, they are filled with international terrorist fighters, among their ranks PKK cadres from Türkiye, Iraq, Iran. They are non-Syrians. Non-Syrians are running the so-called SDF and everybody knows this. This is an open secret. So, in short no, unless they change themselves.

SORU: Would you like to say a few words in Turkish, Sir?

DIŞİŞLERİ BAKANI HAKAN FİDAN: Teşekkür ederim bu basın toplantısı için.

Türkiye uzun yıllardır Suriye’nin birliği, beraberliği ve bütünlüğü için elinden geleni yapmaktadır. Özellikle son aylarda Cumhurbaşkanımızın bu yaklaşmakta olan süreci görmesinden hareketle başlattığı inisiyatifin Suriye rejimi tarafından reddedilmesi, maalesef bizim endişelerimizi haklı çıkaran gelişmelerin olmasına yol açtı. Muhalifler an itibariyle Şam’ı ele geçirmiş durumdalar. Esad rejimi çökmüş durumda, Esad ülkeyi terk etmiş durumda. Biz bundan sonra Suriye’nin yaralarının sarılması için, birliğinin, bütünlüğünün, güvenliğinin sağlanması için ne yapabiliriz el birliğiyle, şu anda onun mücadelesi içerisindeyiz.

Dünden itibaren bölge ülkeleriyle ve uluslararası aktörlerle bu konuda çalışmaya başladık. Özellikle bölge ülkeleriyle iş birliğimiz fevkalade önemli. Irak ve Türkiye, Suriye’ye uzun sınırları olan iki ülke. Bizim özellikle beraber koordinasyonumuz önemli. Yine Ürdün, Suudi Arabistan, Katar bu noktada önemli partner bizim için, bunlarla da çalışmalarımızı devam ettireceğiz. Amerika ile de görüşmelerimiz devam ediyor, özellikle terörizm ve güvenlik konularındaki hassasiyetlerimizi onlarla da paylaşıyoruz.

Önümüzdeki günler özellikle geçiş süreci, bu konuda inşallah daha güzel günlerin Suriye halkını beklediğini hep beraber göreceğiz. Cumhurbaşkanımızın bu konudaki hassasiyetini hepimiz biliyoruz. Özellikle mültecilerin tekrar ülkelerine dönmesi meselesi fevkalade önemli. Bu konuda da çalışmalara şimdiden başladık. Teşekkür ederim.

* Interpress deşifresidir.