Ankara: Trkiye's ambassador to Syria has called upon NATO countries to leverage their influence to pressure Israel into changing its actions, which are exacerbating instability in Syria. Nuh Yilmaz conveyed this message to Anadolu in Ankara, emphasizing the need for NATO allies to exert more influence on Israel to align its actions with regional stability goals.
According to Anadolu Agency, Yilmaz acknowledged the positive contributions made by several Western countries since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria a year and a half ago. However, he stressed that these efforts should be intensified to ensure sustained stability in the region. Trkiye, he noted, seeks stability in Syria to address security concerns and mitigate irregular migration challenges.
Yilmaz highlighted Syria's economic challenges, stating that the country's recovery is contingent upon its removal from the list of states supporting terrorism. He expressed hope that this change could occur by the end of the summer, particularly with expectations in Washington. He argued that such a shift would greatly benefit Syria's economic prospects.
The ambassador criticized Israel's actions in Syria, accusing it of occupying Syrian territory and harassing local communities. He further alleged that Israel's policies aim to depopulate and displace Syrians, which deters investors and undermines the country's political legitimacy. Yilmaz claimed that Israel's actions exacerbate Syria's crises, acting as a catalyst for ongoing issues.
Addressing NATO's future, Yilmaz referenced criticism from US President Donald Trump regarding the alliance and mentioned tensions over discussions of an alternative European army. He questioned NATO's relevance and future direction, suggesting that these topics would dominate upcoming discussions.
Yilmaz stated that Trkiye's role extends beyond the alliance's southern flank, impacting NATO's future trajectory. He noted that debates over NATO's fundamental threats have persisted, with terrorism previously serving as a temporary focus. However, he observed that issues like migration and terrorism are losing prominence in NATO's security dialogues. He urged NATO to proactively anticipate and address threats rather than merely reacting to crises, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming summit in Trkiye.