Thank you, Madam President.

I also thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his briefing.

As we are in the 13th year of the conflict in Syria, living conditions of the people are worsening by the day in parallel with the increasing economic hardships.

Therefore, it has become all the more urgent to give impetus to international efforts to find a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis.

This solution can be reached through the advancement of the political process in compliance with the Security Council Resolution 2254.

The Constitutional Committee has proven to be a unique platform bringing together the Syrian opposition and the regime.

However, the Committee has not been able to convene for over a year. The Syrian regime should stop taking hostage the process and the work of the Committee should be resumed and advanced within the context of a broader political alignment.

Close consultations with all stakeholders, primarily the UN and the legitimate Syrian opposition, are of primary importance to this end.

Madam President,

I also would like to reply to the references to the role of my country when it comes to the issue of refugees.

My country has been generously sheltering millions of Syrians for more than a decade and remains to be the world’s largest refugee hosting country.

Facilitation of voluntary, safe and dignified return of the Syrian refugees should be an integral part of our overall efforts to settle the Syrian crisis. Therefore, we need to increase our engagement for the creation of conditions that are conducive for the fulfilment of these criteria.

As we discussed in this chamber two days ago, the unimpeded delivery of the UN cross-border humanitarian assistance remains vital for millions of people in need in northwest Syria.

Under current circumstances, the Council’s sustained engagement is essential for the continuation of this mission in a predictable and effective manner, with the OCHA’s modus operandi unchanged.

Madam President,

The preservation of calm on the ground is important for many reasons.

However, we are concerned with the recent ceasefire violations in Idlib. In view of the already fragile situation, any escalation has to be avoided to pre-empt new humanitarian tragedies.

Madam President,

Counterterrorism is a crucial dimension of the settlement of the Syrian crisis.

It must be a priority for all of us to commit to the protection of Syria’s political unity and territorial integrity. Elimination of threats to neighboring countries is also of critical importance.

Based on its legitimate right of self-defense emanating from the UN Charter, Türkiye will continue to fight terrorism in Syria in all its forms and manifestations and disrupt the destabilizing and separatist agendas of the likes of DAESH and PKK/YPG.

I thank you.