Ankara: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for U.S. President Donald Trump to be persuaded to withdraw American military forces from Syria, suggesting that such a move would be economically beneficial for the United States.
According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Trump had a 'highly positive' phone conversation, during which Trump's respect for Erdogan was evident. Fidan made these remarks during an iftar gathering with journalists in Ankara, highlighting that maintaining U.S. troops in Syria is not among Trump's primary concerns. He noted that the presence of the PKK in Syria is being legitimized under the guise of addressing ISIS (Daesh) prisons.
Fidan urged regional nations to collaborate in the fight against ISIS and revealed that concrete decisions were made during a meeting in Amman with Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria. He stressed that the presence of U.S. military forces in Syria incurs significant costs and that the American public is beginning to question the benefits of maintaining troops in the region.
During the call with Trump, President Erdogan emphasized Turkey's expectations in the fight against terrorism and the importance of removing restrictions on defense and industry cooperation. Fidan reiterated the importance of peace in Ukraine and mentioned that Trump and Erdogan are keen on resolving bilateral issues.
Fidan addressed a potential visit by Erdogan to the United States, stating that preparatory work would be conducted at the level of foreign ministers. On the topic of sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), Fidan discussed ongoing talks with the Biden administration regarding lifting these sanctions.
Ankara is monitoring the agreement between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Ferhat Abdi Sahin, and Fidan emphasized the need for granting Syria's Kurds rights such as citizenship and political equality. He announced that five countries had convened to establish a center for joint operations and intelligence against ISIS, with technical teams currently working on its setup.
Fidan highlighted the significance of the Al-Hol Camp issue, noting the camp's population of around 40,000 people and stating that a different formula is needed for those who remain in detention. He also mentioned Turkey's potential contribution to a peacekeeping force in Ukraine if the parties agreed to establish it.
The most significant topic during Fidan's visit to Damascus was the issue of the YPG, which Turkey views as inseparable from the PKK. Fidan stressed the necessity for the group to be dissolved and integrated into the central government, emphasizing that allowing them military capabilities is unacceptable.
Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's commitment to Syria's unity and territorial integrity, advocating for the dissolution of armed groups and their integration into the central government. He also addressed Israel's occupation of southern Syria and its recent attacks on Gaza, vowing to do everything possible to stop what he termed as 'genocide.'
On the Cyprus issue, Fidan discussed an informal meeting held in Geneva under the UN's auspices, advocating for correcting what he sees as injustices on the island. Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan stated that a peace treaty and ceasefire agreement are the main topics on the agenda, with Turkey ready to contribute to a mutually agreeable deal.
Fidan also commented on the European security architecture, stating that the EU's reluctance to involve Turkey in its mechanisms is shifting. He emphasized the dynamic nature of EU-Turkey collaboration and the need for visa liberalization to resolve ongoing issues.