ISTANBUL
Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu has said Ankara will amp up the intensity in its struggle against Daesh militant group.
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Sinirlioglu shared Tuesday the highlights of the international campaign against Daesh and the ongoing search for a resolution to the Syrian war that has proved elusive for years.
Sinirlioglu said Turkey would continue to support global anti-Daesh efforts in close cooperation with its regional and international partners.
Ankara would soon reveal plans for ending Daesh presence near its border in northern Syria, he said.
With Syria talks in Vienna over, Sinirlioglu expressed hope for peace in Syria, while saying Bashar al-Assad "will not be there at the end of the process".
Sinirlioglu said there was consensus among world powers Assad cannot run in the elections outlined in the joint declaration that was issued on the heels of the second round of Vienna talks last weekend.
The Turkish foreign minister said that there was some opposition to the stance of the "overwhelming majority" on Assad's future, but that there was still hope for peace in Syria and Assad would cease to be a "political issue" as the resolution process moves forward.
He added that Syrians and most powers want a democratic, non-sectarian Syria, and "those who are planning to divide Syria will have to give up on their plans."
Ankara plans to end Daesh control on border regions
Sinirlioglu told Anadolu Agency that Ankara's anti-Daesh strategy and plans were in line with the efforts of the U.S.-led international coalition.
"When these plans are complete, our operations will continue with more intensity. You will see that in the upcoming days," the Turkish foreign minister said.
"As U.S. State Secretary John Kerry said, Daesh is still present on a certain section of Turkey’s borders. We will not let Daesh remain on our borders. We are taking and will continue to take a host of measures against Daesh threats on Turkey's security. We are executing these measures in coordination with our partners and allies in the international coalition against Daesh," Sinirlioglu said.
Kerry announced Tuesday that the U.S. and Turkey would soon launch a joint operation to close the Turkish border with Syria.
"The entire border of northern Syria -- 75 percent of it -- has now been shut off and we are entering an operation with the Turks to shut off the other remaining 98 kilometers [61 miles]," Kerry said. "I believe the pressure is mounting on Daesh."
Sinirlioglu said additional measures could be taken in the near future: "We have some plans. It is not possible to give details about their timing and implementation until they are complete, but here is the gist of it: Daesh is a major and serious threat for Turkey, just as it is for the entire world. We are in a constant struggle against the threats targeting the Turkish soil that are engendered by the environment of chaos in Syria. We will continue our struggle in a stronger fashion in the coming days.
"We have a very close cooperation with the U.S. in this regard. Our soldiers and all of our institutions are working together. As you know, there were deployments in Incirlik [Air Base in southern the Turkish province of Adana used by the U.S. and Turkish Air Forces]. Let there be no doubt that the struggle to destroy Daesh will continue in a resolute manner for the security of the Syrian and Turkish peoples," Sinirlioglu said.
'Overwhelming majority say Syria peace is impossible as long as Assad is in power'
During a press conference Monday at the G20 Leaders' Summit held in the southern Turkish province of Antalya on Nov. 15-16, the Turkish foreign minister said that Assad would cede power "at a time and in a manner that was agreed upon" during the first six-month transition period, as outlined in the Vienna declaration, and that he would not run in the elections to be held in 18 months.
Evaluating the reactions to his remarks, Sinirlioglu said: "When you read the declaration you will see that an international diplomatic process to resolve the Syrian crisis has effectively been launched. There is a schedule and a road map laid out in this process, which is as follows: On Jan. 1, a process will begin whereby Syrian sides -- the regime, regime-supported groups and the opposition groups -- will gather in meetings attended and monitored by the international community and the UN. The goal of this process will be to form an all-inclusive interim government that will have a mandate from Jan. 1 to June 30."
Sinirlioglu said the government would be the single source of executive power in Syria and Assad’s future will also be decided upon during this six-month period.
"As I said yesterday, there are some who are thinking differently. They are well-known. However, the overwhelming majority stated during this meeting [Vienna talks] that it is impossible to have any solution or peace in Syria if Assad stays in power. All participants are aware of what steps should be taken in this regard."
'There is extensive consensus that Assad cannot run in elections'
Sinirlioglu said he received questions as to whether Russia agrees with the existing plans. "We have not observed Russia insisting on a negative stance on the matter," he said, adding: "Both Russia and Iran were engaged in the political process."
"There may be different ideas on Assad's future. The process cannot be concluded so long as different ideas about Assad's future continue to exist."
Sinirlioglu said most participants agree that a decision on Assad's role would eventually be reached during work to establish the interim government.
"There is widespread and extensive consensus on the idea that Assad cannot be a candidate in the elections. Does everyone agree? At this stage, no. Everybody knows who disagrees. But since they too are engaged in this process, they must know that at the end the majority's opinion will prevail, which means Bashar al-Assad cannot run.
"The moment that the new government is formed, it will take over all executive powers, at which time the issue of when and how Assad will leave office will achieve clarity, so will the fact that he cannot maintain his political existence."
From that point on, Assad's future will cease to be a political issue and will become his personal issue, Sinirlioglu said.
The Turkish foreign minister said he was hopeful about the international efforts for a political resolution:
"We are hopeful. The option of Assad being a [presidential] candidate is strictly opposed by a large majority. Since this process was initiated with this knowledge, it is clear that Assad will not be there at the end of the process. There is no contradiction here. It is again agreed by all that there is no military solution either. Therefore, if we are going to reach a solution through this political process -- and we will -- then Assad will no longer be a political issue, and the Syrian people -- after Assad [is gone] -- will search for and reach a compromise through democracy and maintaining their multicultural structure, unity and territorial integrity. Once the Syrian people get rid of Assad, they will focus on rebuilding Syria."
'Majority of Syrian people are against disintegration'
As for claims of a three-part state to be built in Syria, Sinirlioglu said both the international community and the Syrian people oppose it:
"There are those who are talking about a disintegrated Syria. However, both a large majority of the international community and of the Syrian people are against such dark scenarios. Syria's unity and territorial integrity were also confirmed in the declaration issued at the end of the second Vienna talks. There is a consensus on the goal of [creating] a non-sectarian, multicultural and secular Syria, which is the country desired by Syrian people themselves. Their desire is to live together in a democratic environment, and maintain diversity. We are of the opinion that sectarianism and divisive approaches do not have a chance of success in Syria. Those who are planning to divide Syria will have to give up on their plans."
