Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Chairman of the People’s Republican Party (Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi – CHP), began his speech at parliamentary faction session by mentioning the recent CHP international conference on Syria which was held in Istanbul. Kılıçdaroğlu stressed that the Middle East is engulfed in conflict, with military operations being conducted in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
WE HAVE DONE WHAT THE AUTHORITIES SHOULD HAVE.
Kılıçdaroğlu stressed that this meeting, which should have been organized by the authorities, was organized instead by the CHP, guided by a sense of responsibility. According to him, the party insisted on holding such a meeting back in 2013, but the government did not approve of the initiative.
Noting that the conference was attended by more than 100 foreign journalists and observers and speakers from 22 countries, Kılıçdaroğlu continued: “The number of participants from all over indicates [this meeting’s] historical significance, as does the fact that more than 100 foreign journalists came to cover it.
The politician outlined five main points that were emphasized during the conference.
ANKARA MUST RECONCILE WITH DAMASCUS.
“First, we stressed that the shortest way to peace in Syria is through dialogue between Ankara and Damascus. We have stated that it is up to the Syrian people to decide the fate of Syria, and we have indicated that interference in the internal affairs by another country is unacceptable. Secondly, in order not to get lost between the interests of the United States and those of Russia, we must pursue a balanced Syrian policy based on principles such as territorial integrity, political independence, sovereignty and good-neighbourly relations. We must protect Syria’s integrity, ensure its sovereignty, and make every effort to advance the democratic process, but at the same time prevent the interests of two sovereign forces, the US and Russia, from being dispersed.
Kılıçdaroğlu pointed to the need to intensify diplomatic processes with individuals whose legitimacy is recognized by all players, especially the Syrian authorities, on the basis of international law and relations.
TURKEY HAS SPENT $40 BILLION, WE PAY THE HIGHEST PRICE.
Kılıçdaroğlu noted that after ensuring security in Syria, it is necessary to facilitate the return of refugees residing in Turkey to their homeland. According to him, it is necessary for the well-being of Turkey and the region. “In a normal situation, the authorities should do so, but they seem to be rushing between the U.S. and Russia. He speaks to Moscow about one thing, to Washington about a friend, and in the end, blood is being shed in Syria, and Turkey is paying the highest price,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, adding that Turkey has so far spent $40 billion on the poor.
WE WANT TO GET TURKEY OUT OF THE SWAMP
“I want every citizen, especially the AKP, to think about this: who is defending the interests of the country – us or the government that is rushing between the U.S. and Russia? They buy weapons from one side and then from the other to gain the support of both. In fact, they are engaged in trade. In Syria, soldiers, women, children die, but they do not care. They are pursuing their own goals. Yes, let’s defend the territorial integrity of Syria, let’s create a security zone, but if you could protect this territory instead of stealing the tomb of Suleiman Shah, today we wouldn’t have a problem like “the East of Syria”. Turkey’s ill-conceived, erroneous policy has put it in that position. Those who stole the tomb from their homeland are now declared heroes. It upset me the most. Because of its Middle Eastern policy, Turkey is bogged down in the swamp. We want to get Turkey out of this swamp. That is our clear and firm position,” he concluded.