Türkiye urges Syria's democratic future, Gaza aid at talks with Spain

Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus has outlined a vision for Syria’s future centered on an inclusive, democratic process led by its own people, while strongly condemning the ongoing situation in Gaza. He made the remarks during high-level talks in Ankara on Monday with his Spanish counterpart, Francina Armengol Socias, highlighting shared foreign policy goals and deep bilateral ties between the two NATO allies.

A Call for a Democratic Syria, Free from Terrorist Groups

Speaking at a joint press conference following inter-delegation talks, Kurtulmus emphasized that lasting peace in neighboring Syria requires the removal of all armed, illegitimate groups from its territory. "After 60 years of dictatorship and 13 years of civil war, no one should attempt to poison Syria through terrorist groups,” he stated, specifically naming the YPG and ISIS (Daesh). He stressed that the constitutional drafting process is vital and that all Syrians—Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, and people of all faiths—must coexist peacefully under one flag. Separately, Kurtulmus provided an update on a major domestic initiative, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, which has held 20 meetings since August 2025 and is now preparing a final report with concrete legislative proposals for parliament.

Urgent Action Demanded for Gaza and Praise for Spanish Stance

On the conflict in Gaza, Kurtulmus struck a cautiously hopeful yet critical tone. “We welcome the start of a new phase in Gaza with hope, but also approach it with caution and prudence," he said, accusing Israel of violating ceasefires and continuing what he termed a "genocide." He argued that a government responsible for such actions would not easily allow humanitarian aid, underscoring the need for strong, sustained international pressure. He urged the swift opening of the Rafah border crossing for aid delivery. Kurtulmus explicitly praised Spain for its diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine and its support for a two-state solution, aligning it with Türkiye's longstanding position.

Strengthening Türkiye-Spain Relations and Shared Values

The visit served to reinforce the strong partnership between Ankara and Madrid. Kurtulmus highlighted extensive cooperation in trade, defense, energy, tourism, and culture, noting that direct Turkish Airlines flights strengthen connections, as does the shared historical legacy of Andalusia. For her part, Spanish Parliament Speaker Francina Armengol Socias affirmed the commitment of both NATO members to regional stability. She expressed hope for Türkiye's future accession to the European Union and noted the "very strong" relationship between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Armengol emphasized shared values, including support for peace, international law, sovereignty, human rights, and a two-state solution for Palestine.