Erdogan doesn't rule out cooperation with Syria's Assad on YPG

TEHRAN (defapress) –Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan didn't rule out possibility of cooperation with Syria's Assad government on YPG.

News ID: 67124

Date: 24 November 2017 - 14:55

Ankara continues to rule out any place for the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its militia the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in any solution process in Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has stated, after Turkey, Iran and Russia convened for a key summit in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Nov. 22.

"We discussed the issue of the Syria national dialogue congress in detail. We, as three countries, will decide on who will be invited to the congress. Sub-commissions established by our foreign ministries will make the necessary studies beforehand,” Erdoğan said, adding that chiefs of general staff and intelligence agencies will contribute if necessary, reported Hurriyet Daily.

"We project that all groups and all fractions in Syria will be invited,” he noted, while stressing that Turkey’s position on "terrorist organizations such as the YPG and the PYD is clear.”

Erdoğan suggested that "Putin shares our sensitivity about the PYD and the YPG” and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad "also objects to the possibility of such an entity, as far as we can see.”

The national dialogue congress will serve for two goals: Drawing up a new constitution and running a "fair and transparent election” under the monitoring of the United Nations, he said.

Erdoğan also repeated his criticism of the US for increasing its military buildup in Syria despite efforts for resolution, complaining that the U. provides the YPG "not only with arms but also with personnel.”

"What are their convictions [about Syria]? What do they want to do? Let’s listen to them,” he said,

When asked whether Turkey and the Syrian government could cooperate on the issue of the YPG, Erdoğan responded, "Turkey’s issue is not with Kurds, but with terrorist organizations. Whatever happens tomorrow is based on the circumstances. It is not appropriate to have an understanding of saying ‘no way at all.’ The doors of politics are always open until the last moment,” he said.

Erdoğan said there was "no such situation at the moment,” in regards to whether Turkey had initiated any contact with al-Assad or mediato.