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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the Turkish Parliament on Tuesday that implementing the March 10 Accord, initiated by Syria and the SDF, must proceed without delay to strengthen the country's stability.
On March 10, an agreement was announced by the Syrian presidency that envisioned integrating the SDF—dominated by the YPG/PKK terror group—into Syria’s state apparatus, stressing the country’s territorial integrity and rejecting any separatist designs.
Fidan presented the Foreign Ministry's 2026 budget to the Turkish Parliament General Assembly, emphasizing Syria's reintegration into the international community after 13 years of isolation.
"We believe that implementing the March 10 accord process initiated with the SDF as soon as possible will make a significant contribution to the country's stability," Fidan said.
The foreign minister highlighted Türkiye's role in coordinating with Syria following the recent regime change. He noted that approximately 560,000 Syrian citizens have voluntarily, safely, and honorably returned to their homeland since the previous regime fell. Fidan stated the government is accelerating projects to sustain these returns.
The foreign minister said Syria has made significant progress toward reintegration into the international community in a short time. He cited Syria's return to membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) after 13 years as a watershed moment for the region.
Ankara is coordinating closely with Damascus to ensure the accord's implementation, Fidan emphasized. He described the agreement as foundational to establishing "a Syria where everyone lives in peace."
FM Fidan underscored Türkiye's broader diplomatic role across multiple regions. He said Türkiye remained central to international efforts in Gaza throughout 2025 to secure a ceasefire and stop the bloodshed.
"Türkiye, as in previous years, in 2025 remained at the center of international efforts in Gaza to secure a ceasefire and stop the bloodshed," Fidan said.
On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Fidan said Türkiye would continue meticulously implementing the Montreux Convention, which guarantees regional balance and stability.
"We will continue to carefully apply the Montreux Strait Convention, which is the guarantee of balance and stability in the region," Fidan noted.
Fidan documented escalating international recognition of Palestinian statehood, marking what he called a "historic threshold." Eleven additional countries recognized Palestine this year, bringing the total of UN Security Council permanent members recognizing Palestinian sovereignty to four of five.
"The two-state solution will have transformed into a global consensus," Fidan said.
The death toll from the conflict has exceeded 70,000 Palestinians. "The brutality on the ground in Gaza has prompted a global awakening in the international community," Fidan said.
Fidan credited President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's diplomatic leadership for driving concrete progress toward peace. A peace initiative launched on September 26 in New York, involving the United States and eight Muslim nations, gained momentum. An accord implemented on Oct. 10 marked the first step, while the "Peace for Sharm El-Sheikh Summit" represented significant progress toward a permanent ceasefire, Fidan said.
Gazans have been evacuated from the territory with care, Fidan noted. Going forward, Türkiye's priorities are cementing the ceasefire, rebuilding Gaza, and ensuring an uninterrupted humanitarian aid flow.
Fidan stated Türkiye's ultimate goal: "An independent, sovereign Palestinian state with 1967 borders and a capital in East Jerusalem. Türkiye will continue to stand on the right side of history, alongside our Palestinian brothers and sisters, for Palestine's future to be shaped by the will of the Palestinian people."
Türkiye is hosting the 2026 NATO Summit and the 2026 Organization of Turkic States Summit, Fidan reannounced. He said the NATO gathering will produce concrete outcomes that strengthen alliance unity, readiness, and resilience.
Fidan also announced bilateral defense achievements. Germany lifted its embargo on the sale of Eurofighter Typhoons to Türkiye in July.
The United Kingdom signed an agreement in October, and negotiations for an update to the Free Trade Agreement are advancing significantly, Fidan said.
The Netherlands signed a defense cooperation memorandum of understanding, and Belgium lifted export restrictions during the year.
Italy held its fourth Intergovernmental Summit with Türkiye in April, during which it signed 10 agreements.
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