Statement from French Minister: Kurdish partners must be protected

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot made statements regarding the situation in Syria. Minister Barrot said that France will host a meeting on Syria in January and that Turkey, Arab nations, and Western countries will participate in the summit.

Stating that the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) played a significant role in the fight against ISIS, the French minister declared, “Kurdish partners in Northeast Syria must be protected, and their rights must be guaranteed. The Kurds are of vital importance in the fight against ISIS.” Barrot expressed that the ongoing clashes between the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the SDF in Manbij and Kobani 'must stop immediately.'

Stating that the SDF should be part of the political transition process, Barrot noted that mediation efforts between Turkey and the SDF are ongoing.

ERDOĞAN-MACRON MEETING

Touching upon the phone call between AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and French President Emmanuel Macron, Barrot stated, “In his conversation with Erdoğan, Macron explained that Syrian Kurds must be fully integrated into the transition process.”