Foreign Minister Fidan's 'Kurdish' reaction to DEM Party MPs: 'For you, Syria consists only of Kurds'

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who took the podium to speak during the deliberations on the 2025 Central Government Budget Law Proposal at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), addressed the developments in Syria in his speech.

Minister Fidan gave a sharp response to the "Kurds in Syria" remarks made by MPs from the DEM Party group who interrupted his speech.

"FOR YOU, SYRIA CONSISTS OF KURDS, AND KURDS CONSIST OF THE PKK"

Fidan stated the following:

For you, Syria consists of Kurds, and Kurds consist of the PKK. Take a look at the entirety of Syria. There are Arabs, there are Druze, there are Kurds, there are Alawites, there are Sunnis; there are many elements, there is just no one place...

"THE SYRIAN PEOPLE AND SYRIA HAVE ENTERED A NEW ERA"

Fidan used the following expressions in his speech:

The Syrian people and Syria have entered a new era as of December 8. Since the very first day the Syrian crisis began, our state has been following this crisis very closely with all its institutions. As you know, Syria is not only a neighbor to Turkey, but also a neighbor to other countries, and at the same time, it has become a region where global and regional hegemonies seek interests, establish order, and play games.

In a geography where games within games are organized like a matryoshka doll, where everyone makes different strategic calculations, where it is not determined who will benefit from these strategic interests when and where, and where different games full of uncertainties are played, the policy that Turkey has been weaving for 13 years with strategic patience, wisdom, great perseverance, and care has evolved into another point as of today.

Since 2016, the cessation of conflicts has been ensured through the Turkey-Astana process. As you know, I have been involved in all stages, all dimensions, and with all interlocutors of the crisis for 13 years, both in my previous position and my current one. However, the regime did not utilize the time created to solve the country's multifaceted problems. Look, the war was stopped in 2016; there was a tremendous amount of time.

During this time, the regime and its allies could have provided their own people with a democratic, inclusive constitution, a hope, and good infrastructure. At the very least, they could have worked on this. That didn't happen either; they could have discussed this with us at the negotiating tables, asking how I can do this. There were times when we reached certain points many times. In none of them did we see any approach other than viewing their own people as a threat. We had only one advantage as a country. Our intention has always been clear and sincere, and our method has been transparent.

"THE SYRIAN REGIME HAS PASSED INTO HISTORY"

Day by day, the state has unfortunately headed toward collapse in political, economic, and social terms. Especially in the last two years, those who follow the event closely know that the state had gone bankrupt with all its structures; it was just waiting for a small touch.

Because our President saw this, he pushed aside all the mechanisms in between, from the hospital level to those established at the bureaucratic and political levels, and intervened in the event directly starting from last year.

Because he saw where the event was heading from the reports he read and the observations he made, and he made the highest offer from the highest authority. He did not receive a response to this, but unfortunately, this did not prevent the end they faced.

When the wave of dissatisfaction rising from the people combined with the civilian casualties caused by the regime's attacks, the Syrian regime passed into history.

EVACUATION PROCESSES FROM SYRIA

Our President called for the initiation of a dialogue with our country and the achievement of national reconciliation with the opposition, foreseeing the approaching process in Syria. However, unfortunately, the regime did not evaluate this opportunity, thinking of its own narrow interests instead of the Syrian people.

It has been Turkey, with the will of our President, who has always extended a helping hand to the Syrian people under all circumstances. In an environment where the international community left the Syrian people to their fate, Turkey has continued to stand by the Syrian people alone.

In addition to the numerous contacts we have made with Russia, Iran, and Arab countries last week, we are now conducting intense diplomatic traffic with many countries. In light of these meetings, we are working to guide the international arena and ensure that the balances to be established in the country are healthy, sustainable, and mindful of our country's interests. The course that developments in Syria may follow is being evaluated comprehensively along with their possible reflections on our country, and necessary measures are being taken in this context.

We have activated the crisis center in the context of evacuation processes from Syria and the mobility at our border.

"ISRAEL IS NOW THREATENING THE FUTURE OF OUR SYRIAN BROTHERS"

Distinguished members of parliament, we unfortunately also see that Israel, once again ignoring international law, has accelerated its efforts to profit from the developments in Syria this time. Entering Syrian territory, Israel is targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity with its occupying mentality. It is endangering the process in which the Syrian people are approaching peace and tranquility. Israel, which has razed Gaza to the ground, is now threatening the future of our Syrian brothers.

Netanyahu does not hesitate to openly declare that the Golan Heights are Israeli territory. The mentality does not change. Israel's aggression, cruelty, and lawlessness continue. As Turkey, we will continue to stand by my Syrian brothers as we always have. On the other hand, everyone should know well that we will not allow Syria to become a nest of terrorism.

"PEACE IS POSSIBLE WITH A 2-STATE SOLUTION"

We continue to make numerous initiatives on international platforms. Most recently, we led a joint letter initiative at the United Nations to stop arms sales to Israel. 52 states and 2 international organizations became co-signatories to the letter. Israel continues its aggression in the region with the diplomatic, economic, and military aid of some countries. For this reason, we are also making efforts to isolate Israel within the international community.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, of which our country is also a member, and the Arab League Contact Group have visited 18 countries and international organizations to deliver humanitarian aid and for the recognition of Palestine as a state. During this process, 9 more countries have recognized Palestine. Lasting peace in the Middle East depends on a 2-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue.