2024-07-07 13:36:40
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed his readiness for dialogue with Syria to normalize bilateral relations. He announced this in a video address to the nation following a cabinet meeting he chaired in Ankara. The broadcast was conducted by TRT Haber, Day.Az reports.
“We believe that common sense should be used in foreign policy. We will not refuse to meet with those who need to,” Erdogan said, speaking about the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with neighboring Syria, which were severed in 2012.
According to him, Turkey has no claims on foreign territories, its priority is “protecting the territorial integrity and national unity of Syria.” At the same time, he emphasized that Ankara will not allow the creation of a terrorist state on the adjacent territory and will take measures until the outgoing terrorist threat is completely eliminated. The Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that they consider the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian wing, the National Defense Forces (SNF), a threat to national security. “We will continue to ensure the security of our country and people as long as the threat of terrorism remains,” Erdogan said.
He also reported that about 670 thousand citizens who left Turkey since 2011 have returned to Syria, and their number will increase by another 1 million with the implementation of projects to build housing for them in safe areas.
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