Hakan Fidan's statement on normalization with Syria: He points to Assad

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made statements on current issues ranging from normalization with Syria to talks with the US regarding terrorist organizations, and from Israel's attacks to the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Speaking to Hande Fırat, a columnist for Hürriyet known for its proximity to the government, Fidan made the following assessments regarding Turkey's method for ensuring stability in Syria:

"THEY ARE NOT READY FOR A MAJOR NORMALIZATION"

"Turkey wants to see the regime and the opposition create a political framework they can agree upon in this environment of non-conflict. It is important for the regime, together with the opposition, to provide a safe and stable environment for its people. However, as far as we understand, he and his partners are not ready to reach an agreement with the opposition and for a major normalization. As of now, Assad and his partners do not seem very ready to resolve certain issues. Israel's attacks on Syria are increasing.  The attempt by the terrorist organization and other elements to take advantage of this chaotic environment could drag Syria into greater instability. No one wants this."

"AN INDICATION THAT SOME PROGRESS, HOWEVER RELATIVE, HAS BEEN MADE"

"The main issue of sensitivity for us is the clearing of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization, which occupies one-third of Syrian territory with US support, from the region. In every meeting, we remind our American counterparts that they must end their cooperation with the terrorist organization in Syria. The fact that we have reached a point of discussing this mutually can be interpreted as an indication that some progress, however relative, has been made."

"NETANYAHU IS STALLING THE CEASEFIRE TABLE TO GAIN TIME"

"(Regarding the increase in Netanyahu's attacks in the region) Netanyahu puts new conditions on the table every time. This shows that he is using the negotiations as a tool to gain time in order to reach the military goals he has in mind. From the very beginning, while strongly supporting a ceasefire, we were telling the parties we spoke with that Netanyahu was stalling the ceasefire table to gain time. At the current stage, we see that there is some movement in the ceasefire negotiations. However, for HAMAS, what is important here is reaching a ceasefire in a way that makes a process possible that will change Israel's actions irreversibly."

"In our last meeting with HAMAS, we discussed developments on the ground, the ceasefire, the need for humanitarian aid, and the reconciliation process between Palestinians. The international community must prevent Israel from continuing its barbarism of using hunger as a weapon."

"DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE US ELECTIONS..."

"Depending on the results of the US elections, Netanyahu's expansionist strategy in the region may increase. Israel's primary goal is essentially to expel Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and from the West Bank to Jordan. This scenario will drag the region into even greater instability. After the US elections, Israel may not want to settle for military retaliation. Netanyahu may take steps to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities. If such a situation arises, the possibility of the conflict spilling over into other countries also increases."

"TURKEY DOES NOT WANT TENSIONS TO ESCALATE IN THE REGION"

"Turkey does not want tensions to escalate in the region. This also applies to the tension between Iran and Israel. We have done our part to prevent further escalation of tension by conveying the necessary messages to Iran during our direct talks with Israel through the US channel."

"I THINK FETÖ HAS NOW ENTERED A PROCESS OF COLLAPSE"

Regarding the death of Fethullah Gülen, the leader of the Gülen movement that organized the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, Hakan Fidan noted the following:

"I think the organization has now entered a process of collapse. The organization has lost its potential to operate in many countries, as well as in Turkey. They cannot gain a new base. The US must extradite the organization members there. I also told Blinken that the necessary laws should be implemented on US soil to prevent the organization's activities against Turkey.  With the death of the terrorist organization's ringleader, it can be said that an era has come to an end."

News Source: 12punto