Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Ankara and the European Union agree on the need to preserve Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while working toward establishing an inclusive government.
According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan made these remarks on Tuesday, December 17, during a joint press conference with Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, held in Ankara.
Erdogan criticized certain EU member states, emphasizing that Turkey’s relationship with the EU should not be held hostage to the narrow agendas of a few members.
He also underscored the necessity of building stronger and more committed relations with the EU, stating, “As a candidate country, we are dedicated to this goal.”
It is worth noting that Syrian rebels are supported by the Turkish government, a factor influencing Ankara’s stance on the Syrian conflict.
Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of addressing Turkey’s legitimate security concerns in Syria during the same press conference.
She added, “Europe is the largest donor to Syria. This support needs to be refocused with a renewed emphasis on reconstruction efforts.”
Von der Leyen stressed the need for targeted aid and rebuilding efforts in Syria, reaffirming Europe’s commitment to helping stabilize the war-torn country.
Last week, Erdogan also discussed the need for an inclusive and Syrian-led government during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Turkey and the EU’s shared goal of fostering stability and inclusion in Syria reflects their commitment to resolving the long-standing conflict. However, balancing regional security and broader international collaboration remains a challenge.
Moving forward, stronger cooperation between Turkey, the EU, and other global actors will be crucial to addressing security concerns, supporting reconstruction, and ensuring a sustainable resolution to Syria’s crisis.
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