Erdogan: Türkiye’s position on Syria was not based on self-interest.
According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said regarding the developments in Syria that his country’s position has never been based on interests but on human principles.
He made these statements in a speech on the occasion of the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government and after a government meeting at the Ankara Presidential Complex.
Addressing the Syrian nation, Erdogan congratulated the fall of the Baath regime in Syria and added that Turkey will always stand by the Syrians.
The Turkish President stated: “As of Sunday (December 9), the dark era in Syria has ended and the light era has begun.”
While criticizing the performance of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, he said that the old [Syrian] government bullied us into rejecting our request to resolve the Syrian crisis through dialogue and did not appreciate the hand we extended to it.
Criticizing Bashar al-Assad’s government, Erdogan expressed hope that the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees to their country would be possible while maintaining the stability of the country.
Stressing that Turkey has no desire for the territory of other countries, Erdogan noted that Turkey’s goal in cross-border interventions is to secure Turkey’s borders and its people against terrorist threats.
He said that Turkey’s goal and great desire is to see all Syrians, regardless of their religion, race, or creed, live in peace in their country.
The Turkish President added: “No one has the right to cause pain or new problems for Syrian citizens who have been subjected to oppression and oppression for more than 13 years.”
In the final part of his speech, he said that the “Yayladaghi” crossing will be opened soon to prevent traffic at the border crossings between Turkey and Syria.