"We will continue to be both at the table and on the ground in Syria"
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.
Recalling that there are 12 military observation posts in the Idlib region, Spokesperson Kalın stated: “We continue to strengthen our military presence in this region in line with the Idlib agreement. Our soldiers will remain deployed there, ensuring the security and stability around Idlib together with local units.”
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE EAST MEDITERRANEAN
Touching upon the recent developments in the East Mediterranean, Spokesperson Kalın said: “We have not, and will not, allow any de facto situation that could violate our rights emanating from international law.”
Highlighting the importance of Turkey’s ongoing fight against terror, Spokesperson Kalın noted: “Turkey will continue to combat terror with the utmost determination. It is out of the question for Turkey to get permission or consent from Israel or any other country to fight terror.”
Spokesperson Kalın added: “There is no step back, weakness, halt, or slowdown in the fight against DAESH.”
Asked about the U.S. decision to pull out of Syria, Spokesperson Kalın answered: “A military delegation from the U.S. will visit Turkey this week. They will discuss the coordination of the issue with their Turkish counterparts.”
“THE PHONE CALL HELD ON DECEMBER 14 WAS OF HISTORIC IMPORTANCE”
Underscoring the importance of the phone call Mr. President had with his U.S. counterpart Trump on December 14, Spokesperson Kalın said: “The phone call held on December 14 was of historic importance. It was extremely important in that an issue which Mr. President had reiterated many times took the form of a political directive or order there. Mr. President expressed it clearly that Turkey and the U.S. don’t need the terrorist organization PYD/YPG to defeat DAESH and to clear it from the region. Turkey and the U.S. can achieve this and establish stability in the region, thereby taking an important step for Syria’s territorial integrity and tackling the PYD/YPG/PKK issue, an important problem in our relations. This was not a new offer, it had been put forward earlier, too. Yet, it was the first time we saw it met with a response and made into a directive.”
