Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that a new phase has begun in Syria and it is now necessary to focus on the future.
This came in a speech on Monday in the capital Ankara during the opening session of the 15th Ambassadors Conference organized by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.
Minister Fidan touched on the situation in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime yesterday, Sunday.
He stated that the developments witnessed in Syria yesterday constituted a “ray of hope,” calling on international actors, led by the United Nations, to communicate with the Syrian people and support efforts to form an inclusive government.
He reiterated that national reconciliation is the only way to reach a permanent solution, peace and stability in Syria.
He explained that despite all the efforts made and the available opportunities, the Bashar al-Assad regime has not sought to reach peace with its people.
He expressed Turkey’s desire to see a Syria in which various ethnic and religious groups live in peace and under a comprehensive concept of governance.
He continued: “We want to see a new Syria that enjoys good relations with its neighbors and contributes to peace, tolerance and stability in its region.”
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Fidan stressed that Turkey will continue to work to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and the reconstruction of Syria.
He added: “Turkey, which extended its hand to its Syrian brothers in times of hardship, will also stand by them during the new phase.”
He expressed his confidence that the Syrian people will make good use of this “golden opportunity.”
Minister Fidan also stressed the need to prevent terrorist organizations from exploiting the situation in Syria.
He said that preventing the terrorist organizations “ISIS” and “PKK” from benefiting from the current situation in Syria will remove the latter from being a safe haven for terrorism.
On the Syrian front as well, the Turkish minister stressed that his country has been defending what it believes is right for 13 years, whether in terms of bilateral relations or in multilateral forums.
He stressed that “while everyone has abandoned the Syrians, Turkey has stood by them.”
He added that Turkey is ready to face all challenges and endure difficulties “in order to achieve justice, peace and stability in the region.”
He stated that Ankara, through its diplomatic contacts and moves, has honestly proven that it wants peace and prosperity not only for itself and its national security but also for the entire region.
