Madam President,
First, I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen for his briefing.
I would also like to thank Rouba Mhaissen for highlighting the crucial role of Syrian women in the efforts towards finding a lasting political solution to the conflict.
The perspective of Syrian communities with regard to recent developments needs to be taken into account and we welcome Ms. Mhaissen’s insights.
The Council needs to give a greater voice to Syrian people in this chamber.
Madam President,
After 10 years of bloodshed, we simply cannot lose another day to end this conflict.
We need to take urgent action now to build momentum for a lasting and credible political solution.
We have the right tools at hand to achieve a political solution in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.
The Constitutional Committee is the sole mechanism in place within the political process.
We are pleased to learn that Mr. Pedersen’s intense efforts over the last months have finally paid off.
Despite a long delay, the Syrian sides have agreed on the methodology of the sixth round of the Constitutional Committee.
It is now time to shift gears.
We can not afford to see “more of the same“ in Geneva.
It is time for the Constitutional Committee to yield concrete results on its core mandate.
It is time to make genuine progress on substance.
There is no room for repetition, stalling tactics, or blame games.
It is imperative that the Terms of Reference and Core Rules of Procedure of the Committee are fully respected.
Türkiye is actively engaged in efforts to ensure that the sixth round will be held in a constructive and results-oriented manner.
We are confident that the opposition will maintain its positive approach, as in previous rounds.
Today, we reiterate our call to all parties to adopt the same constructive attitude towards the Constitutional Committee.
Genuine engagement is required if we are to finally make credible progress on the political track.
Madam President,
While there are positive developments on the political track, we are dismayed by the ever-worsening situation on the ground.
The increase in violence in Idlib is a cause for serious concern.
Since the beginning of this month, ceasefire violations of the regime and its backers have reached alarming levels.
In September alone, over 185 attacks have been documented. Due to the recent increase in violence, 22.000 more people have been internally displaced.
Continued ceasefire violations not only risk triggering a new wave of migration, they also jeopardize the prospects of ending the conflict through a political solution.
This dangerous escalation also casts a dark shadow over the compromise reached on the cross-border humanitarian mechanism in July and taints the goodwill displayed in that process.
These attacks have continued unabated over the last weekend.
This is simply unacceptable. Attacks targeting civilians must stop immediately. Protection of civilians is not negotiable.
The regime, and its backers, must fully adhere to the ceasefire. This is the minimum that they can do to have any credibility whatsoever in the process.
Madam President,
An increase in ceasefire violations is not the only destabilizing development on the ground.
PKK/YPG remains a major threat to the security of Syria.
This terrorist organization, and its offshoot, the “Syrian Democratic Forces”, are not relenting in their attacks against civilians.
This year alone, they have killed at least 118 civilians.
Yet, the international community remains silent in the face of these crimes against humanity, which are also documented by the Commission of Inquiry.
Last week, Syrian Kurds and Arabs were peacefully protesting the price hikes in areas under de-facto control of PKK/YPG.
Yet these so-called democratic forces suppressed Syrians who were exercising their democratic right to protest.
It is also this terrorist group that attacks and prevents Syrian Ezidis in Iraq and Syrian Kurds from returning to their homes in Syria.
When will this hypocrisy end?
How much longer will this Council ignore the elephant in the room?
When will PKK/YPG’s attack against the UN supported Al-Shifa hospital in Afrin will be investigated by the UN?
We will never condone supporting terrorism under the pretext of fighting DAESH.
Türkiye will continue its resolute fight against all terrorist organizations including DAESH and PKK/YPG.
Madam President,
Yet again, the previous speaker poisoned this meeting with fabricated lies. I will not honour him with a reply.
Try as it may, the regime will never succeed in diverting the attention of the international community from its abhorrent crimes.
While the regime holds onto its illusions, Türkiye will continue to address the suffering of Syrian people.
We will persevere until peace and stability is restored in Syria.
Thank you.