Turkish foreign minister outlines Syria position in Washington meetings

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has articulated Türkiye's comprehensive position on Syria during extensive diplomatic consultations in Washington, engaging with senior US officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The talks, which coincided with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's landmark White House visit, focused on managing regional security challenges and exploring opportunities for Turkish-American cooperation in Syria's stabilization efforts.

Comprehensive Dialogue

Fidan detailed discussions covering multiple Syrian regions, stating that "how can the problem areas, particularly in southern and northern Syria and other regions, be managed more effectively?" formed a central theme of the exchanges. The Turkish minister participated in a joint meeting with President Trump's team and Syrian officials, including Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, where he presented "Türkiye's general views on Syria, opportunities for cooperation with the US, and numerous issues related to Syria's development, unity, solidarity, peace and regional security." US Vice President JD Vance also joined these expanded discussions.

Sanctions and Territorial Integrity

A significant portion of the dialogue addressed the Syria Caesar Act sanctions, with Fidan emphasizing the need for congressional action to permanently lift restrictions hindering Syria's economic recovery. The minister warned of potential "further fragmentation" if security challenges in northern, northeastern, and southern Syria are not carefully managed, stressing the importance of preserving Syria's territorial integrity while ensuring protection for all ethnic and religious communities. Fidan specifically highlighted concerns about PKK/YPG terrorist presence in northeastern Syria.

Regional Conflict Resolution

The diplomatic consultations extended to other regional crises, including the Russia-Ukraine war and Gaza conflict. Fidan discussed potential Turkish roles in facilitating Ukraine peace efforts and detailed ongoing evaluations of a draft UN Security Council resolution on Gaza. The minister noted Türkiye's priority remains "to ensure that all stages of the peace plan are implemented in a way that benefits everyone, that the genocide is stopped, and that humanitarian aid begins," referencing recent multilateral consultations hosted by Türkiye in Istanbul with regional foreign ministers.