Geneva talks do not promise us anything, says President Erdogan

“We don't expect any conclusions from peace talks. The UN is alleged to be meeting PYD secretly. We need determination instead of delaying tactics,” says Erdogan during official trip to Chile.

Geneva talks do not promise us anything, says President Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey does not expect any outcome from the Geneva talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.

“We don't expect any conclusion from peace talks. The time has been wasted with the attempt to please the sides. But we need determination instead of these delaying tactics," said Erdogan during his official trip to Chile's capital, Santiago, as the first part of his Latin America trip.

“I am not hopeful about these talks at all. It's doubtful that United Nations (UN) is sincere. The UN has been accused of conducting meetings with the Chairman of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), Saleh Muslim," the Turkish President said.

'PYD should be declared a terrorist group'

Erdogan expressed his doubts on the possible solution offer with a transitional government and elections that is expected to determine the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad by highlighting the impossibility of people to exercise free will under regime threat in Syria.

Erdogan also retreated Turkey's determined attitude against PYD and stressed that PYD should be declared a terrorist group along with Daesh.

“If these groups are not declared terrorist groups, the possible elections would certainly be disappointment. Also, the attempts to pave the way for the Assad regime cannot be accepted. Saying 'if Assad wins the 2018 elections, he will continue his duty, if he fails we will continue with the winner' is disappointing, “Erdogan said.

'Turkey obeys borders while responding to Russia'

Erdogan, who also touched on Russia's recent violation of Turkish airspace, said that Turkey's responses to cross-border transgressions do not violate borders.

"We are obligated to protect our national security. Our responses to cross-border transgressions do not violate borders. Any violations, by missiles for example, receive a response from our artillery. Turkey will continue to follow its established rules of engagement," said Erdogan.
The president also added that the he authorized the Foreign Ministry to contact Russian authorities to facilitate a discussion with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to resolve the problems arising from the violations.

Erdogan said that he had also discussed the matter with US Vice President Joe Biden as well as French and British officials. He added that the Russian violation is not of Turkish airspace alone, but also NATO airspace.

“We can't allow any possible corridor for PYD'

He reiterated Turkey's determination not to allow the PYD to cross west of the Euphrates.

"Turkey will not allow the PYD terrorist organization to create a corridor between the regions it controls. We don't have any issues with our Kurdish siblings, including Syrian Kurds. The only thing we stand against is any possibility that a corridor will be established by PYD in northern Syria. There is also the PKK and YPG. We take steps in accordance with international law, and we'll continue to do so. We have been in contact with our NATO allies to do what we can to prevent it," Erdogan said.

Erdogan emphasized the existence of a coalition of the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany which have stationed troops in Incirlik Airbase in Turkey.

“We hope this coalition to be transformed and gain ground. We will evaluate the actual situation with (US President) Obama," he added.

'Turkey desires to establish a city in Syrian part'

Erdogan, over a respond to a question about the concerns about the deal signed by Turkey and European Union, said that Turkey acted responsibly and has kept its words while EU has not been acting honest.

“First we signed a deal, now they are discussing whether they remove the Schengen visa for Turks or not. Turkey has had a matchless attitude, hosting more than 2.5 million people. Turkey's attitude toward refugees has always been clear. We have resettled Meskhetian Turks in Igdır and we are doing the same for the Syrians. We desire to establish a city on the Syrian side with houses planned to be constructed. Merkel vowed to support this project. Turkey has a really powerful construction sector," said Erdogan.

'Russian-made guns seized'

Erdogan accused the EU of insincerity, saying that they had been constantly inviting (Kurdistan Workers' Party) the PKK members to speak at meetings under their bodies.

"They tell us 'your pain is our pain,' or 'we are against the terrorist group,' but then send arms to the PYD. PYD is a terrorist group, such as Daesh or al-Qaida. No one has the right to categorize the terrorists as 'good' and 'bad'," he said.

"We warned the West not to give arms to the PYD before. Half of the weapons went to Daesh and the other half to the PYD. Also, the weapons seized from the PKK in the latest military operations in the southeast were discovered to be made by Russia," Erdogan said.

Erdogan hopes to receive 330 votes of support

Erdogan also touched on the preparation process of the new constitution. He expressed hopes that the process will lead to a document that will receive at least 330 votes of support in Parliament, which would allow a new constitution to be put to a referendum.

"I believe the people are ready. This will institute a change in the system to initiate a new era for Turkey. We want a wholly domestic and national constitution," he said.

“The current level of public support for a presidential system and a new constitution is between 55 percent and 60 percent. I believe with a public awareness campaign, this support will increase rapidly," Erdogan added.

Source: Yeni Safak English

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