Turkey’s Syria policy anchored in regional stability – Turkish FM
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that Turkey’s presence in Syria is “natural,” arguing that efforts to resolve the country’s longstanding instability benefit not only Ankara but the wider region.
Fidan emphasized that a defining feature of Turkey’s foreign policy is its focus on advancing shared regional interests rather than pursuing unilateral gains.
Fidan noted that the future of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) remains a major point of contention in ongoing discussions with the United States.
He stressed that progress requires “a shared understanding,” particularly as the two NATO allies continue to diverge over Washington’s support for the SDF.
The minister also underscored the significance of dialogue between Damascus and the SDF, saying the talks had recently been interrupted following developments triggered by Israel’s intervention in southern Syria.
Despite the pause, Fidan said Ankara expects the negotiations “to evolve to a certain point,” adding that Turkey continues to engage with both the U.S. and regional actors in an effort to guide all channels toward a concrete outcome.
Turkey considers the SDF an extension of the PKK and opposes U.S. military support to the group, which Washington views as a key partner in the fight against ISIS.
With Syria’s internal dynamics shifting and regional powers recalibrating their positions, talks between the SDF and Damascus have become increasingly important.
Ankara seeks outcomes that prevent the emergence of an autonomous Kurdish entity along its border and ensure a unified Syrian state.