President Erdoğan: We are not expelling Syrians, the principle of voluntariness is important

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the plane upon his return from Cairo, where he attended the D-8 Summit. Stating that many issues were discussed at the D-8 Summit, President Erdoğan said, "We adopted a joint declaration regarding the situation in Palestine and Lebanon. In our joint declaration, we clearly condemned the aggression of the Netanyahu government in Israel against the Palestinian people and its violations of international law."

Stating that peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, Erdoğan mentioned that developments in Syria were also on the summit's agenda.

"Our most sincere desire is the construction of a Syria where different ethnic and religious groups live side by side in peace and which is a source of security for its neighbors," Erdoğan said, emphasizing that the roots of ISIS, the PKK, and their derivatives, which threaten the survival of Syria, must be eradicated.

Stating that they have initiated communication with names involved in the new Syrian administration, including Golani, Erdoğan expressed that Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan would go to Syria and said, "They will carry out the new structuring together."

The questions posed by journalists to Erdoğan and his responses are as follows:

QUESTION: About 2 months ago, while returning from your visit to Tatarstan, you emphasized that the PYD and YPG, the Syrian branches of the terrorist organization PKK, were destined to be abandoned and left alone. You used the expression, "America carries the terrorist organization in its lap for a while, but when this time is up, it will have to leave them on their own." Can we say that the point reached in Syria today shows that this time has expired? In addition to this, there were those who said, "We have leaned our backs on the PYD, the YPG." We see that the terrorist organization is close to being liquidated; what would you say to those who leaned their backs on that organization?

The hopes of the PKK/YPG have been dashed. Assad's expectations were different, but these did not materialize. A new picture has emerged. The fact that Assad is currently in Russia is proof of how significantly the situation has developed. In the process ahead, our brothers in Syria will make decisions about their own future themselves. We will try to assist them in the matter of how the state structure should be. We will help the Syrian administration on how our experiences can be transferred there and how a state can be built within the framework of a new social contract.

One of the most important steps in building a state is the construction of a constitution. In this regard, we have initiated communication with the names involved in the new Syrian administration, primarily Mr. Golani. As you know, we sent our Head of the National Intelligence Organization. Our Foreign Minister has already been in dialogue with all stakeholders of the issue from the very beginning. We will also show that the time has come for the existing terrorist organizations in Syria to be neutralized. We will do this so that no threat from the south of our borders will come to us from now on. Because it is impossible for us to accept such a risk. Since the only goal of the terrorist organization is to please the centers they serve, they are doomed to be left alone. This was the case yesterday, and it is the same today... However, they will have no tomorrow. The end of the road is in sight for the terrorist organization. For years, they have made life miserable for the peoples in our region. They have made life a poison for our Kurdish brothers in particular, as well as for Turks, Arabs, Yazidis, and many others. There is no place for terrorists in the future of the region. Especially the shelf life of the PKK terrorist organization and its extensions has expired. The environment of trust to be established in Syria will also prevent terrorist organizations from recruiting militants. From now on, the paths are open for the establishment of peace and tranquility in our region. Some political parties in our country were making different statements regarding relations with Syria until recently. I suppose they are not in a position to say the same things right now. All their hopes have also been dashed. If Syria truly establishes a stable structure with this new formation, it will, in my opinion, take a very strong place in the Islamic world. Today, a Syria with a population of over 30 million cannot be ignored. The meetings we will hold with the United States with Mr. Donald Trump taking office are very important. The Russians say they are not thinking of closing their embassy and consulates general in Syria. This, in my opinion, is an asset for Syria. There is benefit in the continuation of diplomatic missions. One of the things that makes me happiest is that many countries, both from the Islamic World and the West, are now developing their contacts with Mr. Colani. These are also, in a way, signs of trust in the new administration. In the new era, Syria will hopefully rise again in a much different way.

QUESTION: Another problem of the new Syrian administration is that Israel is expanding its occupation area in the south by taking advantage of this opportunity. Are there any preparations in which Turkey will also contribute to the implementation of international law here, as in Gaza?

Israel has made it a habit to violate international law. They trampled on international law in Gaza, and the world remained silent. They occupied the land of a sovereign state in Lebanon and shed blood, and the world remained silent again. Today, Syria is exposed to Israel's recklessness. There is UN Security Council Resolution 242 of 1967 regarding Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights. With this resolution, while Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights is condemned, it is demanded that it withdraw from the region. It is important for the international community to take action for this resolution to be reminded and implemented again. Voices have begun to be raised, albeit weakly, from Western countries against the Israeli occupation. However, if the world had stood up when Israel dropped the first bomb on civilians, Israel would not have found the courage to take this occupation step today. Just as we did not remain silent that day, we have not remained silent today against Israel, which is attempting to occupy Syria's lands, and we will not. Israel will sooner or later learn that international law binds them too. We will continue to corner Israel on every platform and force it to act in accordance with the law. However, all international mechanisms must be used effectively to prevent it from benefiting from the situation in Syria. Here, a great duty falls on Western countries, especially the USA, to stop Israel. It must be expressed in the loudest way that Israel's occupation of Syria's lands is unacceptable. Before it is too late tomorrow, a "stop" must be said to the Israeli aggression that constantly threatens the peace and stability in our region. Otherwise, the Israeli boomerang will target those who support them under all conditions tomorrow as well. Those who turned a deaf ear to the warnings we made yesterday have seen today that we were telling the truth. I advise them to take into account the warnings we make today and take the necessary steps so that they do not regret it tomorrow.

QUESTION: You had a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, and Mr. Mikati had a remarkable expression at the press conference. Mikati said, 'Lebanon experienced a crisis, but we learned this: we learned that we must trust God first, and then Turkey.' We would like you to evaluate these words.

We were with Mr. Mikati at the D-8 Summit, and I told him, "Your expression 'We trust God first, then Turkey' has created a very serious positive reaction among our people." Mr. Mikati expressing that he trusts Turkey is also an indication that our efforts are appreciated. We have proven many times throughout history that we are a safe harbor for our friends and brothers. We do not act with agendas recorded in secret agendas, neither in the warnings we make nor in the measures we take. We speak bravely, we act bravely. We do not leave anyone who trusts us and walks with us halfway, and we do not dig a pit behind them. In Anatolian wisdom, this understanding is summarized as "We love the created because of the Creator." The path we walk and our goals are in this direction. Discrimination and discord have no place in our book. Ali ibn Abi Talib says, "There is no meaning in being many in number if your hearts are not one." Our goal is to ensure that unity of hearts. Especially with countries and nations with which we have historical and cultural ties, we make intense efforts to create this unity. I hope that by strengthening Turkey-Lebanon relations, we will get Lebanon back on its feet in this region in a short time. But first, we need to solve this issue of Israeli aggression. Israel must pay the price for all this oppression and the bombs it has dropped.

QUESTION: While the revolution process that started on December 8 in Syrian territory continues, you have held many meetings on the diplomatic front. Especially this week, there was intense traffic both face-to-face and over the phone. We witnessed that Turkey's rhetoric regarding Syria's territorial integrity was supported and its rights were acknowledged. Did you encounter any opposing views in your meetings with your interlocutors?

I honestly did not see a negative approach on this matter. Every regional and global crisis and development increases our diplomatic traffic. Our meetings could be an important turning point for the future of Syria, peace processes, and international cooperation. Within the scope of our Syria diplomacy, I explained to the leaders we met with that Turkey is making efforts for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The way to protect Syria's territorial integrity primarily passes through the fight against terrorist organizations. There are those who have an understanding of protecting the PKK and its extensions under the pretext of ISIS. This approach brought Syria to the brink of division in the recent past. From the very beginning, we have fought and are fighting against both the PKK and its extensions, and ISIS elements. Just as ISIS cannot hold demonstrations on the streets and squares of Western countries, the PKK and its extensions should not be able to either. It is essential to fight against terrorist structures everywhere, not just on streets and squares, but from social areas to cultural channels. We have a border of over 900 kilometers with Syria. Along this entire border line, we have taken serious steps to prevent movement, from walls against Assad to crossings. As of now, with the formation of the new administration, we will hopefully take Syria-Turkey relations to a much different place. There is something that must have caught your attention. The markets in Aleppo, the shopping places in Aleppo suddenly became active. During my visit there before the war, in Assad's time, I had seen that the covered bazaar there was a lively place just like our covered bazaars. In other words, there is history there, there is trade. There is movement there now as well. I hope this movement will bring abundance there.

QUESTION: The elected President of America, Donald Trump, recently made important statements about Syria, Turkey, and you. He has words full of praise for you. He says for you, 'A very smart man, very strong, very tough, someone I get along with well.' What will you say about these issues, about what he said? Regarding Syria, he also says, 'Turkey is the key to what will happen in Syria.' He says, 'Turkey is behind the forces advancing in Syria.' And he says, 'And I am not uncomfortable with this.' What will you say about this?

Mr. Trump's words summarize his view of Turkey and the administration he will form in the coming months. Everyone except our opposition is aware of Turkey's power and effectiveness. Actually, they are also aware of some things, but since their tongues are not accustomed to speaking the truth, they distort it. Everyone, from international think tanks to the media, is writing and drawing about Turkey's increasing power in diplomacy. We are also aware of our power and effectiveness. We are concerned with serving in a way worthy of our nation, which is the source of this power. As I said recently, Turkey is bigger than Turkey. We have a goal of protecting our lands, developing our country, and taking steps forward by holding on to our roots. Besides this, we feel the responsibility of standing by our friends and brothers on our shoulders. We have reopened our embassy in Damascus; look at the feelings of our Syrian brothers who see our name there. "The Turk is the one who is expected" is not a sentence coined just like that. Turkey's heart borders are far beyond its physical borders. We have seen this in every country we have visited, in every geography we have set foot in. Mr. Trump is actually underlining our country's power and effectiveness by making a situational assessment. What can be said to a true word? The assessments are on point. There is really no problem between us. As of now, we have held our meetings since the moment he was elected. Mr. Trump is a pragmatic politician. He has the vision to change policies that create costs for his own country and allies. After the handover, I suppose we will make our first congratulations and start to sincerely address the issues on our agenda.