“Our primary goal is to make the Idlib agreement lasting”
Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın made statements and answered reporters’ questions in a press conference at the Presidential Complex following the meeting of the Presidential Cabinet.
“As you know, we continue to closely follow the issues concerning our internal and external security as well as regional issues, and the process regarding Syria. Our works for putting an end to the Syrian war within the framework of Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity, the formation of the Constitutional Committee and for ensuring the political transition process to realize through elections continue intensively. This issue was addressed with our Russian counterparts during Mr. President’s visit to Moscow last week on Monday. Our expectation now is, of course, that the Constitutional Committee be immediately formed and start its works under the roof of the United Nations, after finding a final solution for the names on which there are disagreements. In this sense, the Astana process continues successfully.
Another priority of ours is, certainly, to preserve the current status in Idlib. Our primary goal is to make the Idlib Agreement, reached last year thanks to Mr. President’s personal attempts and initiatives, lasting, which we have achieved to a great extent. We would also like to point out that the developments and the dynamics on the ground are not very easy, and that this is a region which is very crowded, busy and contains different dynamics. Nevertheless, the preservation of the current status has so far averted a great humanitarian tragedy and a migration wave, which is watched by the international community with appreciation.
“A DE FACTO SAFE ZONE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN FORMED ALONG TURKEY-SYRIA BORDER”
In the similar vein, we can say that a general climate of peace and stability prevails in the Afrin-Jarabulus line. This, as a matter of fact, is an important achievement that Turkey has shown with regard to how a de facto safe zone in Syria could be.
When such issues as safe zone or buffer zone were raised previously, there were various questions and doubts that it would not be practical, would be hard to implement, by whom and how it would be controlled and who would be in those areas. However, when we look at this region, today a de facto safe zone has actually been formed along Turkey-Syria border, from Idlib and Afrin to Jarabulus and even to Manbij. There is neither the PKK terrorist organization here nor the DAESH terrorist organization or elements of the regime. The local people here govern themselves, direct their own economy and control this region with their own internal dynamics, with their own means and Turkey’s support, and with the Free Syrian Army and other Syrian elements, supported by us and the international community, which is actually a success itself.
As you know, the number of refugees who have returned to these areas from Turkey has exceeded 350 thousand. In other words, during the Syrian war, throughout this war continuing for nearly eight years, there is no other region to which such an intensive return has been realized. And this, as a matter of fact, should be especially noted down in terms of showing the success of the policy Turkey pursues and its practices on the ground.
“OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT THE MANBIJ ROADMAP BE IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENTED”
Obviously, our negotiations with the U.S. concerning Manbij and east of the Euphrates continue. I, together with our Minister of Defense, had the opportunity to thoroughly address these issues the other day during our visit to Washington. Likewise, our Minister of Treasury and Finance addressed these issues in detail along in addition to economic issues during their meeting with Mr. Trump.
Our expectation is, of course, that the Manbij roadmap be immediately implemented and that no terror groups be allowed to remain the east of the Euphrates. As you know, the joint patrols of Turkish and American soldiers in Manbij continue, and negotiations for new patrol activities continue on the ground. Our relevant military and intelligence units carry out these works.
At this point, the safe zone issue is definitely an issue that has priority. The 20-mile, nearly 32-kilometer safe zone, which has been openly declared by Mr. Trump to the public, continues to be on our agenda. Our expectation, demand and priority is, of course, that the safe zone be under Turkey’s control, and that the zone not become a safe haven for any terrorist organization, including PYD, YPG and DAESH, or for elements of the regime, or an area in which they can breathe a sigh of relief. Our works to that end continue intensively.
Our works within both the Astana process and the Geneva process will definitely continue from now on, as well, within the framework of Syria’s security. Turkey is almost the only country that is present in both processes at the same time. Therefore, we will intensively continue these works both in Astana with Russia and Iran, and in Geneva with other actors of the international community. Every kind of measures against the threats targeting Turkey, be it in Iraq, Syria or in any other parts of the world, will resolutely continue to be taken from now on, as well.”
Question: “Yesterday, there was an important guest in Ankara. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, met with Mr. President, as well. And his previous stop was the Syrian capital Damascus, where he met with Bashar al-Assad. In a statement he made yesterday, he said that he would present President Erdoğan a report on his meeting with Bashar al-Assad. Was there any clear message from Damascus in that report and did Mr. Zarif offered any mediation during his meeting with Mr. President?”
“ANY CONTACT WITH THE REGIME IN SYRIA IS OUT OF THE QUESTION”
Presidential Spokesperson Kalın: “The fact that Mr. Zarif came to Ankara following a visit to Damascus might have caused such rumors. Yet, let me underline that we don’t seek any mediation. Iran is a country with which we enjoy good relations and work jointly on the issue of Syria. However, our divergence of opinion regarding the Assad regime’s future is already known.
Since the beginning, we have been maintaining our clear position that Syrian territorial integrity and political unity should be protected, the Constitutional Committee should be established, elections should be held and a legitimate administration should come to power. In this regard, any contact or dialogue with the regime is out of the question for us. When we need to convey a message concerning it, we already do this via Iran and Russia.
We maintain these talks within the framework of our border security, before all else. We will of course continue to work in close contact with Iran for the cessation of conflicts and initiation of the political process. However, a mediation of the nature you mention in your question is out of the question.”
Question: “Javad Zarif, during yesterday’s news conference, proposed that border areas in Syria be given to the Assad regime and military. What is Turkey’s take on that proposal? Is there any setback in the U.S. withdrawal process? Have they backtracked on that decision? What was you observations during your talks in the U.S.?”
“IT IS OUR PRIORITY TO PRESERVE THE CURRENT STATUS ALONG THE JARABULUS-IDLIB LINE”
Presidential Spokesperson Kalın: “Let me say this in answer to your first question: When you look at the status we formed in the region from Jarabulus to Afrin and Idlib, you see that there are no PKK, DAESH or regime elements there. Therefore, such a structure is possible. Well, saying ‘regime should come to the areas which have been cleared of terrorist elements by Turkey’ is a little opportunistic. I mean Turkey has fought against terror there, cleared it and ensured both its own security and the security of the people in the region.
When you look at other regions of Syria, you see that the regime have already left the east of the Euphrates to the Americans, had left, before our intervention, Afrin to YPG/PYD, have left some areas to the Russian Federation and to other elements in the south. So saying ‘regime elements should come to the areas which have been cleared by Turkey’ contradicts the facts. However, we have neither an expectation, nor a demand or an approval. What we primarily foresee along the border is preserving the current status along the Jarabulus-Idlib line and local people governing there with their own means and capabilities. It is our primary perspective that when a safe zone is established east of the Euphrates, it must be under Turkey’s control.
With regard to your second question; there has been an ongoing debate among the Americans since Mr. Trump declared that the U.S. troops would withdraw from Syria. We see that they cannot lay out a clear roadmap here. They keep revising or refuting what they said the previous day. There is an ongoing chaos about it. This is the impression we got in Washington D.C.
As you know, first they sad ‘we shall leave behind 200 soldiers’, then they said ‘400 soldiers’, then they said ‘800’. Different units have been voicing different views. In our eyes, withdrawing is the right decision. Establishing a safe zone is the right decision. However, what kind of a form it will take, who will control there, to whom this zone will serve are even more important.
As I said, the main issue here is that the U.S. administration continue to support the PYD/YPG elements. Mr. President clearly voiced that during a number of talks with Mr. Trump. We do not need a terrorist organization like the PYD/YPG to ensure security in any region in Syria, east of the Euphrates or in Deir ez-Zor or in Raqqa. If there is to be a fight against DAESH or any other terrorist organization, we can do it together. What do I mean by together? I mean Turkey, the U.S., the international coalition, local people and the Free Syrian Army.
Choosing an organization, directly linked to terrorism, from among a number of groups, and supporting that organization has been the most wrong aspect of the U.S. policy since the beginning. Therefore, it is our expectation that the withdrawal process continue, the safe zone be established and that it be under Turkey’s control.”
S-400 DEFENSE SYSTEMS
Question: “I have a question about the ongoing F-35 and Patriot talks. The topic was raised during National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar’s talks in the U.S. And the S-400 issue was raised during Mr. Berat Albayrak’s meeting with Mr. Donald Trump. Can you share any details regarding the current progress in the ongoing negotiations? And does this progress meet Turkey’s expectations?
Presidential Spokesperson Kalın: “Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan and I held talks in Washington, D.C. and discussed these matters with our counterparts.
We have seen the U.S. authorities make certain remarks such as ‘sanctions will be imposed on Turkey if S-400s are bought, Turkey will be excluded from the F-35 program and the sale of Patriots to Turkey will be blocked’. There we have clearly conveyed our views to our counterparts and to the public.
We have clearly stated that any threats, blackmails or language of sanctions against Turkey will backfire. The fundamental values of our bilateral values should be built on protecting mutual interests, mutual trust, shared values and goals. Other than that, surely we cannot accept any unilateral imposing remarks.
In answer to the argument that if the S-400s are procured, it will enable access to delicate information about the F-35s, which will put in jeopardy the F-35 program, our Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu proposed, in Washington D.C. where he was participating in NATO meetings, to set up a technical delegation, which will be comprised of specialists and will thoroughly examine whether there is such a risk under the umbrella of NATO.
This proposition aims to shed light on all aspects of the issue. If the Americans are truly concerned that if the S-400s are set up here, it will risk the F-35 program, give access to delicate information, which will put in jeopardy the future of the program, let us find it out with a transparent and objective technical delegation, comprised of specialists, under the umbrella of NATO. If there is such an issue, we will do what is necessary because we do not want the F-35 program, of which Turkey is a part, to be put at risk by a third country or another defense system.
“TURKEY IS A PARTNER TO THE F-35 TECHNOLOGY AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE SO”
Therefore, a work which will analyze these risks must be carried out. Yet, it will be wrong to achieve these results via a preliminary acceptance or a preliminary provision without carrying out such a work. Turkey’s S-400 decision was not an overnight decision, I mean, we have expressed this on different occasions at every level, and will continue to do so.
Turkey is definitely a partner to the F-35 technology, and will continue to be so. We are not only a client or a buyer of F-35s but also one of the partners to that project, together with 10 countries. There are investments we have made so far, and we have legal rights emanating from there. It is both a primary goal for us and our most natural right to acquire this technology and to be a part of it.
Our expectation with regard to the technology transfer, in other words the technology transfer which is actually at the center of the S-400 issue, is, of course, that our allies pave the way for it firstly. I mean, it is totally unacceptable for Turkey, which, under the umbrella of NATO, participates in operations as the second biggest military force of NATO, supports the alliance, takes all kinds of risks and makes financial contributions, to be excluded in terms of technology transfer.
“IMPOSITIONS REGARDING THE S-400S IS UNACCEPTABLE”
In recent years, we have made great progress in our defense industry. We now produce our own UAVs, UCAVs, ammunitions, cannons, tanks –apart from the engine- , helicopters. The process will continue. We want to grow stronger in this area. It is our most natural right. As a sovereign state, we as Turkey decide which system to buy from which country. However, we would like to act in cooperation with our allies while doing so. We surely do not want the technology, we buy from them, to be put at risk by another system. However, trying to impose on us that ‘it is either this or that’ or ‘Either you accept this or face the consequences’ is unacceptable.
Of course, talks and negotiations will continue to resolve the issue. We hope the issue does not shift toward avenues like sanctions or threats, and that we get to resolve it on the basis of mutual trust, shared interests and goals before it comes to that. I also made some remarks on the issue in Washington, D.C. We have stated that apart from the perspective of the Congress and the laws it envisages to implement, the U.S. president has a number of powers, which can be put into action, and that work can be conducted to find other formulas.”
“TURKISH ECONOMY HAS A SOUND STRUCTURE”
Our relevant economic units, of course, continue their works regarding unemployment figures. Unemployment figures for the first quarter of any given year might end up higher due to the fact that the service industry doesn’t fully come into play in the first quarter yet. We should thus take into consideration the total figures related to the entire year. However, I would like to reiterate that the Turkish economy has a sound structure.
For example, we see major recovery in the current deficit balance particularly in comparison with the last quarters. The tourism industry will also regain momentum in the upcoming season. New targets have been set in tourism and we have accordingly started to generate substantial income from tourism industry. What is more, important investments still continue despite measures for saving in economy. Foreign capital continues to have significant interest in Turkey.
We witness from time to time such doom mongering as ‘the Turkish economy is in crisis’ or ‘there is an economic downturn’ etc. They all have come to naught. Over the last decade since the 2007-2008 global financial crisis, please remember, how many times similar scenarios have been written to the effect that ‘the Turkish economy is about to explode, it is about to collapse, it is on the brink of bankruptcy, companies will close down, the unemployed will take to the streets,’ etc. None of them has come true. The measures taken have prevented them all.
We have gone through two elections in the last 10 months. Economy and markets are unavoidably affected by election periods. In spite of this, there hasn’t been any boom or major deviation in foreign exchange index unlike what was expected. Nor has there been any substantial deviation in growth targets. It is better to see this picture in its entirety. Our relevant economic units will definitely continue their works to achieve necessary ameliorations in employment, inflation and other relevant issues.
Question: Was the issue of a possible visit by Mr. President to the U.S. of by U.S. President Donald Trump to Turkey raised during Treasury and Finance Minister’s latest meeting with U.S. President Trump? Is a visit of that nature expected in the upcoming days?
Presidential Spokesperson Kalın: Currently, Mr. President doesn’t have any planned visit to Washington. However, an invitation from Mr. President to his U.S. counterpart is in question since it is now their turn to visit Turkey. We raised this issue during our former talks as well as during my previous talks with my counterpart, and the White House expressed a positive opinion of it noting such a visit might be possible in 2019. Yet, as of today, there is not any definite timeframe. We will inform you if a definite timeframe is set. Yet, it will be our expectation that Mr. Trump will visit Turkey this year.”
