Syrian opposition's victory offers 'glimmer of hope': FM Fidan
Syrian opposition's victory offers 'glimmer of hope': FM Fidan
December 09, 2024 01:29 PM GMT+03:00
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan declared that a new era has begun in Syria and that the Syrian opposition's victory offers a glimmer of hope while speaking at the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in Ankara on Monday.
Fidan called on the international community to support the Syrian people, stressing Türkiye's continued commitment to ensuring Syria's territorial integrity, political unity, and stability.
Yesterday's developments in Syria have given us a glimmer of hope. We expect international actors, especially the United Nations, to reach out to the Syrian people and support the establishment of an inclusive government. As you know, we have been saying from the very beginning that a lasting solution, peace, and stability in Syria can only be achieved through national reconciliation.
However, despite all our efforts and the opportunities given to it, the regime has not reconciled with its people. In particular, the fact that the regime did not respond positively to the calls made by our president in anticipation of the upcoming process led to developments that revealed how right we were.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )" alt="Syrian opposition's victory offers 'glimmer of hope': FM Fidan">
ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )

ANKARA, TURKIYE - DECEMBER 9: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Turkish Republic's Founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, with Turkish ambassadors before the official opening ceremony of the 15th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara, Turkiye on December 9, 2024. ( Mustafa Çiftçi - Anadolu Agency )
Türkiye's foreign policy, global reforms
Fidan highlighted the rooted principles of Türkiye's foreign policy and called for reforms in the global governance system. "The post-World War II system no longer addresses today’s challenges. Reforms in the United Nations are essential," he stated.
Vision for peaceful Syria
The Foreign Minister underscored Türkiye's vision for a peaceful and inclusive Syria, where all ethnic and religious groups coexist harmoniously.
“We hope for a Syria that is governed inclusively and lives in peace. We are prepared to provide all necessary support for reconstruction and stability,” he added, reaffirming Türkiye's focus on dialogue and cooperation in its Syria policy.
At this point, a new era has begun in Syria. It is now necessary to focus on the way forward. We wish to see a Syria where different ethnic and religious groups live in peace with an inclusive understanding of governance.
We want to see a new Syria that will have good relations with its neighbors and bring peace and stability to its region.
We are ready to provide the necessary support for this. To this end, we maintain the necessary dialogue and coordination with all parties, especially regional actors.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

A demonstrator waves the Syrian opposition flag, also known as the revolution flag, during a gathering with other supporters and members of the Syrian community called by the Syria Solidarity Campaign group in Trafalgar Square, central London, on December 8, 2024, to celebrate the fall of the al-Assad regime. - Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, 2024 sending Syria's President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP)

People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)" alt="Syrian opposition's victory offers 'glimmer of hope': FM Fidan">
People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul's Fatih district on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by KEMAL ASLAN / AFP)

A demonstrator waves the Syrian opposition flag, also known as the revolution flag, during a gathering with other supporters and members of the Syrian community called by the Syria Solidarity Campaign group in Trafalgar Square, central London, on December 8, 2024, to celebrate the fall of the al-Assad regime. - Islamist-led rebels declared that they have taken Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, 2024 sending Syria's President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by BENJAMIN CREMEL / AFP)

People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024. - Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in a lightning offensive that a UN envoy called "a watershed moment" for the nation marred by civil war. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
Support for Palestine, regional diplomacy
Fidan also addressed the situation in Gaza, emphasizing Türkiye's efforts to secure a cease-fire and deliver humanitarian aid.
"We have worked tirelessly for the recognition of Palestine as a state and continue to support our Palestinian brothers and sisters through diplomatic and humanitarian initiatives," he said, reiterating Türkiye's commitment to peace and justice in the region.
Türkiye will continue to assume its responsibilities to ensure Syria's territorial integrity, political unity, prosperity, security and stability. We will continue to work for the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and the reconstruction of the country.
Türkiye, which has extended a hand to its Syrian brothers and sisters in their difficult times, will also stand by them in the new page opened in Damascus. We believe that the Syrian people will make good use of this golden opportunity.
Preventing Daesh and the PKK from benefiting from the current situation will prevent Syria from being a haven for terrorism. We will continue to work for this with determination.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
"Syria has once again shown us that diplomacy is a long-term and patient endeavor. For 13 years, we have tirelessly stood up for what we believe is right both in our bilateral relations and on multiple platforms," FM Fidan concluded.
May 09, 2025 02:57 AM GMT+03:00