President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on his return flight from Egypt, where he attended the D-8 Summit, weighed in on the recent developments and answered questions from journalists.
President Erdoğan pointed out that the D-8 was established under Türkiye's leadership by the late Necmettin Erbakan and noted that the Organisation was founded in 1997 with the participation of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Egypt, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
President Erdoğan stated that the D-8, with its secretariat in Istanbul and representing three continents and a population exceeding one billion, has continued to grow stronger over its quarter-century journey.
President Erdoğan noted that the D-8 has evolved into a structure that contributes to increasing trade among its members, and the recent developments in the region have particularly highlighted the significance of the concepts of peace, dialogue, cooperation, and justice, which form the foundation of its philosophy.
President Erdoğan highlighted the great significance of deepening cooperation within the D-8 framework during a time of major political, economic, and humanitarian challenges on both global and regional scales, noting that many issues were discussed at the summit held under the theme "Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs."
President Erdoğan stated that they achieved their goal of having all D-8 members become parties to one of the Organisation's most significant initiatives, the "Preferential Trade Agreement," with Egypt's accession to the agreement.
Expressing their desire to further expand the D-8's sphere of influence by opening it to new members and partners, President Erdoğan said that, in this context, they have accepted Azerbaijan's membership.
President Erdoğan stated that, with the Cairo Declaration adopted at the conclusion of the summit, they proclaimed their determination to advance economic and trade cooperation, adding that during Indonesia's upcoming term presidency, it might be possible to include three more countries among the D-8 members, which would make the Organisation significantly stronger.
President Erdoğan noted that they also adopted a joint declaration at the summit regarding the situations in Palestine and Lebanon, stating, "In our joint declaration, we explicitly condemned the Netanyahu government in Israel for its aggression against the Palestinian people and its violations of international law. In Lebanon, Israel's attacks have resulted in the loss of thousands of innocent lives, extensive destruction of infrastructure, and the displacement of more than one million people. While we appreciate the hard-won ceasefire agreement in Lebanon, we remain deeply concerned about the ongoing violations. We are convinced that lasting peace in the Middle East hinges on achieving a permanent ceasefire in Gaza."
Developments in Syria
President Erdoğan stated that developments in Syria were the primary focus of the summit, noting that the conclusion of 13 years of conflict and 61 years of Ba'athist tyranny has marked the beginning of a new era in Syria.
Emphasising the importance of this new era, driven by the Syrian people, in re-establishing Syria's unity and territorial integrity to achieve stability, President Erdoğan added:
"We are committed to helping the Syrian people navigate the transition process seamlessly, ensuring no disruptions occur. It is our deepest desire to support the building of a Syria where various ethnic and religious groups can live together in harmony, becoming a pillar of security for its neighbours. To achieve this, it is essential to eradicate DAESH, the PKK, and similar groups that endanger Syria's existence. We are adopting preventive measures on the ground to keep these terrorist organisations, which also pose a threat to our country’s security, from gaining any ground. We once again affirmed our resolve regarding this issue during the summit.
I hope that the improvements on the ground in the coming months will allow our homesick Syrian brothers and sisters to return to their home country voluntarily. In this context, we emphasised the need for international assistance in Syria's recovery through the restoration and rehabilitation of existing institutions."
President Erdoğan stated that he met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt, President Masoud Pezeshkian of Iran, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, and other heads of state and government at the summit, adding that they discussed trade and economic relations, as well as the situation in Gaza and Syria.
"PKK/YPG's hopes are dashed"
When President Erdoğan was reminded of his remarks about two months ago, on his way back from a visit to Tatarstan, where he said, "The PYD and YPG, the Syrian branch of the terrorist organisation PKK, are doomed to be left alone," he said that the PKK's hopes were dashed and that Assad had different expectations that did not come true, and a new picture emerged.
President Erdoğan pointed out the irony of the situation, referring to Assad's present location in Russia, and said, "Our brothers and sisters in Syria will make their own decisions about their future in the next steps. We will try to help them comprehend how the state should be organised. We will advise the Syrian administration on how to transfer our expertise and how to recover a state within the framework of a new social contract."
President Erdoğan emphasised the importance of building a state's constitution during its recovery process, saying:
"In this context, we have already initiated talks with the new Syrian administration, which includes Mr al-Golani. As you know, we dispatched the Director of the National Intelligence Organisation (MİT). Since the beginning, our Minister of Foreign Affairs has engaged with all interlocutors. We will also prove that it is time to neutralise the existing terrorist organisations in Syria. We will do this to ensure that no further threats emanate from south of our borders. Because we cannot take such a risk. As the terrorist organisation's primary objective is to curry favour with the forces they serve, they are doomed to exist alone. This was the situation yesterday, and it remains the case today. But there will not be any tomorrow for them. It is the end of the road for the terrorist organisation. People in the region have been put through hell by them for years. In addition to our Kurdish brothers and sisters, they have made life miserable for the Turkish people, Arabs, Yazidis, and countless others. Terrorists have no place in the future of the region. In particular, the PKK terrorist organisation and its offshoots have reached their expiration date. A safe environment in Syria will help keep terrorist organisations from recruiting militants. The route to restoring peace and tranquillity in our region is now clear."
Recalling that certain Turkish political parties had previously made contradictory statements regarding relations with Syria, President Erdoğan said, "They are probably not in a position to say the same things now. All their hopes were likewise dashed."
"Syria, with a population of over 30 million, cannot be ignored"
President Erdoğan said that Syria will have a very important role in the Islamic world if it builds a truly safe system with this new formation, adding, "Syria, with a population of over 30 million, cannot be ignored."
Stating that the talks they will have with Donald Trump after he takes office in the United States of America are very important, President Erdoğan said:
"Russian officials said they have no intentions to close their embassies and consulates in Syria. This, in my perspective, is an asset for Syria. Maintaining diplomatic missions is beneficial. The fact that numerous countries, both Western and Islamic, are now establishing ties with Mr al-Golani is among the things that most delight me. These are indications of confidence in the new government as well. Syria will, one hopes, bounce back and become significantly different from its current state in the years ahead."
In response to the question, "Israel is exploiting this opportunity to expand its occupation area in the southern region, which is another problem for the Syrian administration. Is there any plan for Türkiye to facilitate the implementation of international law in this region, similar to Gaza?" President Erdoğan responded that Israel has developed a pattern of violating international law.
The international community ignored Israel's gross violations of international law in Gaza, its occupation of Lebanon's sovereign territory, and the bloodshed it caused, said President Erdoğan, adding that Syria is now the subject of Israel's recklessness.
President Erdoğan noted, "There is the 1967 UN Security Council Resolution 242 on the occupation of Israel's Golan Heights. Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights is condemned in this resolution, which also demands its withdrawal," adding that this resolution should be reiterated, and the international community must take action to implement it.
Saying that, albeit weakly, Western countries have begun to voice their opposition to the Israeli occupation, President Erdoğan added, "But if the world had risen when Israel dropped the first bomb on civilians, Israel would not have had the courage to take this course of occupation today. The same way we spoke out that day, we will continue to speak out today against Israel's attempt to occupy Syrian territories. Israel will eventually discover that international law also applies to them."
President Erdoğan stated that they will keep pressing Israel into a corner and compel it to abide by the law on all fronts, adding:
"However, it is imperative to make effective use of all international mechanisms to prevent it from abusing the situation in Syria. It is the responsibility of Western countries, particularly the United States, to prevent Israel from advancing. The occupation of Syrian territories by Israel must be strongly condemned as unacceptable. We must put an end to the Israeli aggression, which is a perpetual threat to the peace and stability of our region, before it is too late tomorrow. Otherwise, the Israeli boomerang will eventually go after those who lend their support, regardless of the circumstances. Those who ignored our warnings before came to the realisation today that we were telling the truth. I recommend that they take the necessary precautions and heed our warnings today to avoid regretting their actions tomorrow."
"We have proven time and again that we are a safe haven"
Upon being asked about a statement made by Prime Minister Najib Mikati of Lebanon, who said, "Lebanon has been through a severe crisis, but we have learned that our trust in God, and in our friends, especially Türkiye, has been our strength," President Erdoğan responded that he and Mikati had met at the D-8 Summit.
At the meeting, "Your statement that 'our trust in God, and in our friends, especially Türkiye' created a tremendously positive reaction among our people." said President Erdoğan to Mikati. President Erdoğan then went on to say:
"Mr Mikati voicing his confidence in Türkiye is a testament to the fact that our efforts are appreciated. We have proven time and again throughout history that we are a safe haven for our friends, brothers, and sisters. There are no secret agendas in the warnings we issue or the measures we implement. We are forthright in our words and actions. We never let anyone down who trusts us and walks the path with us, and we never plot against them. 'Love the created for the Creator's sake' perfectly encapsulates this understanding in Anatolian wisdom. This saying serves as a guide for our goals on the path we follow. There is no place for discrimination and division, in our book. As Hazrat Ali said, 'There is no meaning in being numerous if your hearts are not united.' Our goal is to establish that unity of hearts. We maintain an ardent commitment to fostering this unity, particularly with countries and nations with which we enjoy common historical and cultural ties. I hope that we will strengthen Türkiye-Lebanon ties and provide support for Lebanon's rapid recovery in this region. However, we must first address the issue of Israeli aggression. Israel must pay for all of its oppression and the bombs it has dropped."
"We will elevate Türki̇ye-Syria relations to a whole new level"
Upon the question pointing to the intensity of his diplomatic correspondence around the events in Syria, "We have noted that Türkiye's statements regarding Syria's territorial integrity have been supported and recognised. Have any objections arisen during your meetings with your counterparts?" President Erdoğan said that he did not note a negative stance on this matter.
Emphasising how regional and global crises and developments intensify diplomatic traffic, President Erdoğan stated, "Our meetings may serve as a pivotal moment in the context of Syria's future, peace processes, and international cooperation."
Mentioning that he had informed the leaders he met with how Türkiye was striving to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, President Erdoğan went on to say:
"Fighting terrorist groups is the first step in ensuring Syria's territorial integrity. Under the guise of fighting DAESH, certain circles back the PKK and its offshoots. In the recent past, this approach nearly brought Syria to the brink of division. From the very beginning, we have been fighting both the PKK and DAESH elements, and we continue to do so. In the same way that DAESH is prohibited from demonstrating in Western streets and squares, neither should the PKK and its offshoots be allowed to. Our fight against terrorist organisations must be waged not only on the streets but also in social spaces and cultural platforms. We have a 900-kilometre-long border with Syria. We have taken decisive action to stop Assad along the entire border line, from the walls to the means of transit in both directions. With the formation of the new administration, we will, Allah willing, elevate Türkiye-Syria relations to a whole new level. You may have noticed how, all of a sudden, the Aleppo bazaars and malls are bustling with activity. Before the war, when I went there during the Assad era, I noticed that their grand bazaar was just as busy as ours, so there's clearly history and trade there. Right now, there is movement. I believe that this movement will lead to abundance in Syria."
"The Turkish are the awaited' is not a made-up sentence"
When asked, "President-elect of the United States Donald Trump recently made significant statements regarding Syria, Türkiye, and you. He was full of praise for you. What do you make of his statements? He claims that 'Türkiye is the key to what will unfold in Syria.' 'The forces advancing in Syria are being led by Türkiye,' he claims. He adds, 'And this does not disturb me.' What is your take on this?" President Erdoğan responded, "Mr Trump's remarks capture him and the perspective on Türkiye that his upcoming administration will have."
Noting that the strength and influence of Türkiye are acknowledged by all except our opposition, President Erdoğan continued, "In reality, they are aware of certain things; however, they distort the truth due to their lack of experience in speaking the truth."
"Türkiye's rising diplomatic prowess is the subject of commentary and writing from a wide range of sources, including international think tanks and the media. We are also aware of our strength and influence. We are striving to serve in a manner worthy of our country, which is the source of this strength," President Erdoğan said and added:
"As I said recently, Türkiye is bigger than Türkiye. Our objective is to preserve our territories, develop our country, and move forward while remaining true to our heritage. We also feel a responsibility to support our friends, brothers, and sisters. We reopened our embassy in Damascus; witness how our Syrian brothers and sisters respond when they see our name there. 'The Turkish are the awaited' is not a made-up sentence. When it comes to friendly nations, Türkiye's borders go well beyond its physical borders. We have noted this in every country we visited and in every region we travelled to. Mr Trump is conducting due diligence while emphasising our country's power and effectiveness. Never a truer word spoken. The conclusions are spot on. There is truly no problem between us. We have been in talks with him since he was elected. Mr Trump is a pragmatic politician. He has a vision for changing policies that harm his country and its allies. Following the handover, we will most likely offer our initial congratulations and begin addressing the issues on our agenda with honesty."
In response to a question about the work conducted by the Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) in Sednaya Prison in Damascus, the torture centre of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and whether there were any Turkish citizens lost, President Erdoğan stated that there is no information regarding Turkish citizens.
President Erdoğan emphasised the predicament of inmates in prison six levels underground, adding, "As Türkiye, we actively engaged rather than remaining passive observers. We sent our AFAD and all of its equipment to Syria. The fact that they carried out such efforts and published reports on their work sent a positive message to the region and the Islamic world. Our AFAD completed its mission there and returned."
Pointing to the tunnels and the immense suffering in Sednaya Prison, President Erdoğan said, "The length of the tunnels, the deplorable state of those tunnels—they are all disasters. I believe the world has seen the current state of Syria and has taken note of it."
"Syria will rise again from its ruins"
President Erdoğan announced that an operation at Sednaya Prison was carried out by AFAD with success and that their efforts will be remembered as pivotal moments in history, adding:
"Sednaya Prison validated what we had been claiming for years. The brutality, torture, and extrajudicial killings depicted there are among the most terrible images of the Baath regime. Mass graves exist in Syria, just as they do in any oppressive region. It seems that we still have not seen the full extent of the oppression and torture in Syria. That will require some extra time.
We will do everything we can to guarantee that the Assad regime, which persecutes its own people in this manner, is held accountable under international law. I hope that the sight of Sednaya Prison has embarrassed those who say, 'What is Türkiye doing in Syria?' or those who fuel xenophobia by asking, 'Why did we open our doors to Syrians?' or those who advised us, 'Assad has declared amnesty, send the Syrians back to their country.' I cannot help but think that those who still say such things have had their humanitarian values crushed in Assad's death chambers, their consciences locked in dark cells seven stories below ground."
President Erdoğan said, "The agony of the lost lives in Syria will never end, but Syria will rise again from its ruins. These atrocities will not be forgotten. We know that forgotten atrocities will be repeated. The friendly Syrian people will unite to heal these wounds and rebuild a free and prosperous future. They will always find Türkiye, their sister country, by their side."
"We will intensify our trade relations with Iraq and Syria"
In response to the question, "You have received harsh criticism on the Syrians issue, and Syrians have been blamed for a variety of difficulties. You were also criticised during the elections. When you look back today, do you say, 'We did good by taking care of the Syrians; we did our conscientious duty,'" and about Türkiye's growing influence in the region and his thoughts on resolving issues between Somalia and Ethiopia, President Erdoğan stated, "In all these developments in the region, we have taken steps with confidence. When I said, 'We are the helpers (Ansars), and they are migrants (Muhajirs),' I was referring to our unchanging sources and sacred beliefs."
Emphasising that the main opposition does not consider the process in this way, President Erdoğan said:
"They had no interest in understanding the meaning of the terms ansar and muhajir. What happened next? The Republican People's Party (CHP) is fragmented and in disarray. There is no need to even mention the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM). Throughout this process, we fought terrorism decisively. Praise be to God, we have been successful and will continue to be successful. We are building walls on our borders. We are building these walls to protect our country from the threat of terrorism and will continue to do so.
We will take an additional step. We will intensify our trade relations with Iraq and Syria. In every respect, this will spark a new tide of movement for both Türkiye and Syria. The region will experience a new mood. Gaziantep is on the move right now, Kilis is on the move in the same way and will become more active. We are not expelling these people who have taken refuge in our country. We tell these people, 'If you wish to return home, do so voluntarily. You are more than welcome. If you wish to go home, you can go home.' Syrian children who are now enrolled in school will finish this academic year here. Afterwards, if they have homes in Syria, they can easily return to Dara, Deir ez-Zor, or other parts in Syria. We will cooperate in many areas ranging from defence to education to energy. Syria is currently facing severe energy issues. But Allah willing, we will solve all their energy issues quickly. Our Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will provide all the necessary assistance in this regard."
"We have taken decisive steps towards peace between Ethiopia and Somalia"
Emphasising that the Ethiopia-Somalia issue is also important, President Erdoğan said, "We have taken decisive steps towards peace between Ethiopia and Somalia. Both the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the President of Somalia have responded positively to our mediation. This is what they revealed in the press conference we held. After a year of work, the deal was reached, even though it was challenging."
Stating that Ethiopia is facing a significant problem in that it cannot access the sea from its territory, President Erdoğan said, "For this, a step was taken based on Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Ethiopia was given access to the sea. Ethiopia is a vast country. A country of this size should have such a facility. We told our Somali brothers and sisters, especially President Hassan Sheikh, 'You will now support Ethiopia here. Let's take a step and let the most important result of this meeting be Ethiopia's access to the sea'."
Stating that they met for a total of seven hours not only as the leaders of the three countries but also between the delegations, President Erdoğan said, "Sometimes the talks came to an impasse. In these situations, we stepped in and resolved the issue. The OSCE member states unanimously elected Mr Feridun Sinirlioğlu to the crucial position of secretary general because they recognised Türkiye's efficacy and problem-solving capacity. Türkiye stands out with its distinct approach to both regional and global issues. All of these qualities have allowed OSCE to show its confidence in our country."
"Terrorist organisations like DAESH and PKK/YPG will be uprooted in the shortest time"
President Erdoğan made the following statement when questioned about the trajectory of Türkiye's policy towards Syria in light of the current state of affairs:
"The Syrian people, who have endured Assad's oppression for years, are on the precipice of re-establishing their unity and solidarity. In the coming period, we doubt that any government will continue to collaborate with terrorist organisations. Other terrorist organisations in the region like DAESH and PKK/YPG will be uprooted in the shortest time. Just as we have in the past, we will exert every effort to establish a Syria that is free of terrorism and governed by its people.
After the region is cleared of terrorist organisations, steps to revive Syria will pick up pace. It is also crucial to employ Syria's resources for the peace and prosperity of its people. Until now, Syria's resources have been funnelled to terrorist organisations and groups operating in the region. With the Syrian revolution, these avenues were shut off. This time around, the country will put all of its effort into rebuilding itself. Türkiye will persist in its assistance for Syria's reconstruction and institutional revitalisation. We are endeavouring to secure the international community's support for this effort. As Syrian refugees return to their homeland, Syria will be enriched again, focusing on production and development."
"Lifting the embargo and restrictions will help the country recuperate"
When asked about Syria's reconstruction efforts, Türkiye's contribution to them, concrete steps that international players should take to preserve Syria's territorial integrity, and Türkiye's humanitarian aid efforts in Idlib, President Erdoğan noted that years of conflicts and war in Syria have destroyed the state's and cities' infrastructure.
President Erdoğan went on to emphasise the need to rebuild cities in the process of healing wounds by saying:
"The voluntary return of Syrian refugees and the establishment of a sustainable life for them depend on the housing problem being resolved. New houses, employment opportunities, production and energy facilities, and agricultural and livestock facilities must be readily established. Syria's economy is also in a state of disarray. Lifting the embargo and restrictions imposed on Syria due to the Assad regime will help the country recuperate. Another issue is the reintegration of Syria into the international community. This is as essential as the establishment of an inclusive constitution and the establishment of a political system that will serve as the groundwork for Syria's future.
It is important to keep in mind that it is the Syrian people who will ultimately determine Syria's future. There is insufficient humanitarian aid. So far, Syria has not received the much-needed humanitarian assistance in any capacity. As Türkiye, we have contributed significantly to Syria's needs for aid in this new era. We have maintained and will maintain our humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of this revolution. The new administration has numerous urgent needs, and we will not abandon them in their efforts to resolve these issues. They must not be left to their own devices in their fight against DAESH, PKK/YPG, and other terrorist organisations. We will do whatever is necessary. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan will also visit Syria soon. They will work together on the restructuring process."