Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan outlined the foundations of his country’s policy regarding the Syrian file amid a hazy trajectory of rapprochement between Ankara and Damascus.

In statements he made today, Thursday, November 21, Fidan stated that the essential elements of Turkey’s policy toward Syria include purging the country of terrorist elements, maintaining the country’s unity and territorial integrity, making progress in the political process, and ensuring the safe and voluntary return of Syrians to their homeland.

The Turkish minister also emphasized his country’s stance in combating the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), asserting that Turkey has thwarted efforts aimed at organizing the Autonomous Administration of local elections in northeastern Syria. He stressed that such attempts would not be allowed in the forthcoming period, continuing the war against what he described as a “separatist terrorist organization” without concessions, as he put it.

The Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) recently began conducting non-declared municipal elections in Deir Ezzor province, according to local sources cited by Enab Baladi, who requested anonymity.

These statements from the Turkish minister came during his presentation of the budget for his ministry and its related institutions for the year 2025, at the planning and budget committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, as reported by the Turkish channel CNN TÜRK.

Israel threatens the Astana environment

The Turkish Foreign Minister considered that the efforts of Russia and Iran within the Astana process are essential to maintaining field calm, confirming the continuation of consultations that began with the United States regarding the Syrian issue.

However, he noted that Israel’s attempts to spread war are beginning to threaten the environment created by the Astana process, which has stopped the bloodshed in Syria, making it open to all kinds of uncertainty, according to the minister.

Fidan also pointed out that the dialogue proposed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with a strategic approach, should be evaluated by the Syrian regime in a way that prioritizes the interests of the Syrian people, which represents Turkey’s basic expectation.

Last Saturday, referring to Erdoğan’s comments about meeting with Bashar al-Assad, Fidan indicated that the issue relates to political will, pointing out that Erdoğan has expressed his will at the highest level, highlighting the significance of a leader of a democratic state (referring to Turkey) making such statements, considering that this step has changed the rules of the game.

Russia excludes it, Iran calls for “peaceful solutions”

After the Turkish President expressed hope on November 13 about the possibility of meeting with Syrian regime leader Bashar al-Assad, Moscow excluded the possibility of such a meeting in the foreseeable future the following day.

Russian President’s Special Envoy Alexander Lavrentiev stated that Turkey is acting like an “occupying power,” pointing out that this concerns its support for the Syrian opposition, and the main issue is the withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria.

“Let’s call things by their names; they (the Turks) are acting as an occupying power, and it is very difficult for Damascus to engage in dialogue without certain guarantees from Turkey regarding the withdrawal of its forces,” Lavrentiev added.

On November 16, Fidan stated that Russia is somewhat neutral regarding the normalization of relations between Turkey and the Syrian regime, calling on the Syrian regime to facilitate the return of ten million Syrian refugees.

For his part, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged for resolving the differences between Turkey and the Syrian regime through peaceful methods, emphasizing the necessity of respecting the territorial integrity of Syria and halting support for what he described as “extremist groups.”