US concerned over potential Türkiye-Syria talks: Ruling AK Party spox

The United States is reportedly uneasy about Türkiye’s potential rapprochement with Syria, according to Omer Celik, spokesperson for Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party).

Türkiye criticizes US support to PKK/YPG terrorist organization

Celik claimed that Washington’s military support for militants of the PKK/YPG terrorist organization in Syria complicates efforts toward normalization between Ankara and Damascus.

While discussing the possibility of a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar Assad, Celik stated that it is premature to discuss specific dates. He emphasized that a meeting between the two nations’ foreign ministers must take place first.

US opposes Türkiye-Syria talks

Celik pointed out that the U.S. has been displeased with Türkiye’s interactions with Syria.

“Why is the U.S. uncomfortable? It is interesting. During our President’s meetings with Assad, they called Syria a rogue state. They were calling it a shift in axis. We were saying ‘our axis is Ankara’. Now there is a clear situation. The PYD, the Syrian PKK and the structures we call terrorist organizations are supported and engaged by the U.S.,” Celik said.

Our rapprochement with Syria means a nightmare for the terrorist organization. From this point of view, countries that are the patrons of terrorist organizations are trying to prevent normalization. Türkiye’s will is in favor of Syria’s territorial integrity. From Syria, it is the elimination of security threats.

Today, we have seen that those who intervene from outside threaten Syria’s territorial integrity and support threats to Türkiye’s security. The important thing is that it goes efficiently after it starts. It is not very important that the preparatory phase is prolonged. The point the region has reached is that the elimination of security threats against Türkiye and the protection of Syria’s territorial integrity are intertwined.

Omer Celik

Erdogan’s commitment to securing Türkiye’s borders

President Erdogan has consistently voiced opposition to the establishment of what he refers to as a “terrorist state” near Türkiye’s borders, vowing that Ankara will not allow the PKK/YPG to achieve its goals in northern Syria.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs also expressed its support for Russia’s efforts to facilitate talks between Ankara and Damascus. “Türkiye will continue its good-faith efforts to prepare the ground for normalization with Damascus without any preconditions,” a ministry spokesperson told Russia’s RIA Novosti.