Erdoğan: We have no territorial claims against any country’s soil
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Turkey, explained Ankara’s stance on developments in Syria and security issues in his speech today in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
He stated: “Turkey has from the beginning supported the existence of a Syrian state while preserving its territorial integrity and political unity. We will never accept the formation of any separatist entity that threatens the security of our southern borders. Any provocative move at this stage of the Syria crisis will be suicidal.”
Distinguishing between armed groups and the Kurdish people, Erdoğan said: “A terrorist organization is one issue, and my Kurdish brothers are another. No one, anywhere, can take my Kurdish brothers hostage. As long as the Republic of Turkey stands, they have no need to seek another protector or ally.”
The Turkish President welcomed reports of the recent agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, expressing hope that this agreement would lead to a lasting solution. He emphasized: “The Syrian Democratic Forces must lay down their weapons and return control of the areas under their dominance to the Syrian government. The Kurds will be integrated into the new structure of Syria, and these forces cannot maintain their armed presence in border areas.”
Erdoğan reiterated Turkey’s official stance: “We have no territorial claims against any country’s soil and do not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, but we will never allow our legitimate national security interests to be jeopardized.”
He also shared details of his phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, in which they emphasized enhancing security in Syria and continuing the joint fight against ISIS.
In another part of his speech, Erdoğan emphasized the historical unity and common destiny of different ethnic groups in the region: “There is no difference between the blood of an Arab, a Kurd, a Turk, or a Turkmen. Kurds, Arabs, Turks, Turkmens, Sunnis, Shiites, and Alevis are all our brothers. Why should we witness hatred and blind ambition, when we can solve our problems based on brotherhood? Throughout history, whenever we have been united, we have built great civilizations and become an impregnable fortress.”
He concluded by saying: “Turkey no longer wishes to see war, conflict, or tension in any part of the region, especially Syria, and does not want the resources of this region to flow into the pockets of war profiteers.”
