Türkiye, UK hold consultations on Syria in Ankara

Türkiye and the United Kingdom held consultations in Ankara to discuss the ongoing situation in Syria, according to a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Consultations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom on Syria were held in Ankara under the chairmanship of our Deputy Minister Nuh Yilmaz and the UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Hamish Falconer.

Turkish Foreign Ministry

The meeting was chaired by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and Hamish Falconer, the U.K. minister of state for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

The discussions aimed to address developments in Syria and broader regional security issues.

Deputy Minister Yilmaz shared Türkiye’s assessments and observations regarding the security, humanitarian, and economic situation in Syria during the consultations.

He reiterated the importance of evaluating the situation in Syria from a comprehensive perspective and supporting national reconciliation efforts aimed at establishing a central government. He also emphasized that separatist movements have no place in this framework.

Highlighting that the Syrian administration appears determined to combat all forms of terrorism, Deputy Minister Yilmaz stressed the significance of supporting the administration in this regard.

The discussions also covered Syria’s reconstruction and economic development, bringing attention to the need for the complete and unconditional removal of sanctions, particularly to facilitate financial flows to the country.

Türkiye’s role in regional security discussed in London Summit

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently assessed a security summit held in London on Sunday, emphasizing Türkiye’s contributions to a potential peace agreement in Ukraine and the broader European security framework.

“Indeed, today’s summit was an important one. It was attended by 17 countries, the European Union, and Canada. European Union and NATO countries were present. All countries except the United States were here,” Fidan said following the summit.

Fidan noted that differences in perspective had emerged among European Union countries, particularly in response to recent shifts in U.S. policy.

“Within the European Union, different perspectives have emerged in light of the position the US has taken in recent weeks and the increasing clarity of that position,” he stated.

Regular security meetings expected in coming weeks

Fidan highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing diplomatic efforts in Ukraine, underlining its role in regional stability.

“Türkiye is contributing to both a potential peace agreement in Ukraine and to the reconstruction of the European security architecture,” he said.

He also announced plans for more frequent high-level security meetings. “Subsequent meetings are expected to be held more frequently, perhaps every two weeks or three weeks,” Fidan added.