FM Fidan reaffirms Türkiye’s support for Syria’s sovereignty during Riyadh meeting

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan participated in a Syria-focused meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, alongside foreign ministers from the Arab League member states.

The discussions addressed Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and the path to regional normalization.

Focus on Syria’s sovereignty, stability

In his address at the meeting, Fidan emphasized the importance of maintaining Syria‘s territorial integrity and sovereignty as key principles for guiding regional efforts.

“The presence of our Syrian brother Shaibani at the table with us is a turning point and a historic moment.

As regional countries, we bear the greatest responsibility in guiding developments in Syria in the right direction,” FM Fidan said.

“Syria’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty remain the foundational principles of all our efforts,” he stated.

Fidan also stressed the strengthening signs of normalization in Syria, highlighting the need for a balanced approach.

“In this critical period, we must act as a stabilizing force by carefully balancing the expectations of the international community with the realities faced by the new administration in Syria. To make our efforts more effective, we can establish coordination mechanisms or committees,” FM Fidan said.

“We must also identify priority sectors to secure greater exemptions from sanctions in the coming period. Protecting Syria’s territorial integrity and unity must remain our central focus,” he added.

Remarks on regional threats

Addressing the PKK/YPG—which Türkiye, U.S. and EU nations recognize as a terrorist organization—and other terrorist organizations in Syria, Fidan remarked, “If the PKK/YPG is sincere in its efforts to integrate with the central government, it should announce its dissolution.”

“The terrorist organization continues to pose a serious threat to the Arab majority east of the Euphrates and persists in looting the natural resources that the Syrian people desperately need,” Fidan stated.

“We can work together to strengthen the new administration’s capacity to combat Daesh effectively,” he added.

He also reaffirmed Türkiye’s readiness to assist the Syrian people, “As Türkiye, we are ready to do our part to ease the difficult path ahead for the Syrian people.”

Participation, bilateral talks in Riyadh

The meeting included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking on the sidelines, called for a “smart approach” to sanctions to ensure aid reaches Syrians and emphasized the importance of respecting Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“Sanctions against Assad’s henchmen who committed serious crimes during the civil war must remain in place… Syrians now need a quick dividend from the transition of power,” she said, adding that Germany would provide another 50 million euros “for food, emergency shelter and medical care.”.

Lifting sanctions on Syria

The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said on Friday that the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions if Syria’s new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protected minorities.

European foreign ministers are due to meet on Jan. 27 to discuss the issue.

Possible priorities for relief include “those sanctions that are hindering the building up of a country, access to banking services, and all these things,” Kallas told reporters in Riyadh on Sunday.

“If we see the developments going in the right direction, we are ready to do the next steps,” she said, adding there also had to be “a fallback position.”

“This summit sends the message that Saudi Arabia wants to take the lead in coordinating the regional effort to support Syria’s recovery,” said Anna Jacobs, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

“But the big question is: how much time and how many resources will Saudi Arabia devote to this effort? And what is possible with many of the sanctions remaining in place?” Jacobs questioned.

FM Fidan to hold bilateral meetings

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shibani, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs John Bass.