Joint press conference by Minister Fidan and al-Jolani

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani in Damascus.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yılmaz, Turkey's Chargé d'Affaires to Damascus Burhan Köroğlu, and Esaad Hasan Shayban, Foreign Minister of the Syrian interim government.

Jihadist HTS leader al-Jolani welcomed Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a suit.

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

Following the meeting, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and al-Jolani made statements at a joint press conference.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Shara (al-Jolani) stated, ''We held a comprehensive meeting with Minister Fidan. Turkey has always stood by Syria, and we will not forget this. We have reached an agreement on having an army and a ministry of defense. In the coming days, armed organizations will dissolve themselves, and we want to take control of all weapons in the country under the Syrian army.''

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, at the joint press conference held with the leader of the new administration in Syria, Ahmed al-Shara, emphasized, “I want to emphasize once again that there is absolutely no place for the PKK/YPG in Syria. The PKK/YPG must dissolve itself as soon as possible,” adding, “Syria, having escaped the darkness of the Baath, will also cleanse its lands of the PKK/YPG and DAESH.”

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan continues his contacts during his visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, following Assad's flight to Russia. Minister Fidan held a joint press conference after his meeting with the leader of the new administration in Syria, Ahmed al-Shara.

Minister Fidan said, “Today, I am very happy to be in Damascus. Addressing my Syrian brothers from Damascus is an honor for me. At the beginning of my speech, I would like to respectfully commemorate all Syrians who were massacred by the 61-year Baath regime. I respectfully remember all our brothers who were martyred in the 14-year struggle for freedom. I pray for God's mercy upon them all.”

“TODAY, AS TURKEY, WE FEEL THE HAPPINESS OF BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY”

Expressing that he brought the greetings of the Turkish people to the Syrian people, Minister Fidan said, “I have brought you the best wishes of our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. For 14 years, your joy has been our joy, and your sorrow has been our sorrow. The law of brotherhood and neighborliness required this. Today, as Turkey, we feel the happiness of being on the right side of history.”

“THE TURKISH PEOPLE, THE TURKISH STATE, AND PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN ARE BY YOUR SIDE”

Stating that Syria's most difficult and darkest period is behind it, Minister Fidan said, “Hopefully, you will have better days. All ethnic, religious, and sectarian groups in Syria will be happier and more peaceful. From now on, you are the ones who will determine the future of Syria. It is possible for Syria to turn into a safe, free, and prosperous country thanks to you. I am in Damascus today because, just as we did in your most difficult days, we will not leave you alone today. The Turkish people, the Turkish state, and President Erdoğan are by your side.”

“THANKS TO YOUR SACRIFICES, SYRIA HAS SEIZED A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY”

Emphasizing that the victory in Syria belongs to the Syrian people, Minister Fidan said, “This victory is yours and no one else's. Thanks to your sacrifices, Syria has seized a historic opportunity. Today, it is possible for Syria to regain stability, for the terrorist threat on Syrian soil to be eliminated, and for the economy to be strengthened. The return of the Syrian people to their country is possible. We focused on these topics in our meeting with Mr. al-Shara. We touched upon the importance of completing the transition period in an orderly manner. We underlined that the establishment of stability in Syria is the most priority issue. For this, first of all, security must be established in the country. It is necessary to ensure the rule of law and protect minorities. An inclusive administration must be established under the leadership and ownership of Syrians, where no religious or ethnic group is excluded.”

“AS TURKEY, WE ARE READY TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCE”

Minister Fidan said, “To realize these goals, the state in Syria needs to be revived with all its functions. As Turkey, we are ready to share our experience in the fields of restructuring state institutions and capacity building. Likewise, we want to support concrete work with our institutions such as TİKA, the Red Crescent, and AFAD, and our private companies. Our President has given instructions to all state institutions on this matter.”

“THE TIME IS NOT A ‘WAIT AND SEE’ PERIOD”

Stating that the new administration in Syria needs opportunities and means to implement its promises, Minister Fidan said, “The lifting of sanctions on Syria is extremely important for the normalization of Syria and the provision of security in the country. Necessary preparations for the reconstruction of Syria must also be started as soon as possible. This is the only way to create an environment that will enable our Syrian brothers to return to their country voluntarily and safely. In this respect, the international community should provide strong support to the new administration. I hope that our visit today will encourage high-level contacts from other countries as well. The entire international community, especially Arab countries, should engage with the new administration in Syria. The time is not a ‘wait and see’ period. We must act immediately.”

“THE PKK/YPG MUST DISSOLVE ITSELF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE”

Touching upon Syria's territorial integrity, Minister Fidan said, “There is no hesitation regarding Syria's territorial integrity and unity. And there never can be. In our meeting today, we confirmed our common will on this issue. On this occasion, I want to emphasize once again that there is absolutely no place for the PKK/YPG in Syria. This terrorist organization is occupying the lands of the Syrian people and stealing their natural resources. In our meeting today, I saw once again how determined the Syrian people are in their fight against the PKK/YPG. The PKK/YPG must dissolve itself as soon as possible.”

“WE ARE ALSO READY TO SUPPORT THE SYRIAN PEOPLE'S FIGHT AGAINST DAESH IN THE STRONGEST WAY”

Touching upon the fight against the terrorist organization DAESH, Minister Fidan said, “On the other hand, we are also ready to support the Syrian people's fight against DAESH in the strongest way. As in the past, we will never allow DAESH to take advantage of the situation in Syria today. Syria, having escaped the darkness of the Baath, will also cleanse its lands of the PKK/YPG and DAESH.”

“ISRAEL MUST RESPECT SYRIA'S SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY”

Touching upon Israel's attacks on Syria, Minister Fidan said, “Israel's exploitation of the current environment to usurp Syrian territory can never be tolerated. Israel must respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and should not put regional security at further risk. The international community must show a concrete reaction against Israel's unlawful actions.”

“I HAVE SEEN THE PAIN YOU HAD TO ENDURE”

Expressing that the Syrians have waged an honorable and just struggle, Minister Fidan said, “For 14 years, I have personally witnessed the sacrifices you have made every single day. I have seen the pain you had to endure. I cannot forget the day when opposition forces had to leave Aleppo. I cannot forget the day when some countries left you alone. However, today is a new day full of hope. What you have experienced should give you strength while building the new Syria. We will strive together for our brothers who lost their lives, for future generations, and for a Syria living in peace. I thank Mr. al-Shara once again. I wish success to the new administration of Syria.”

News Source: 12punto