Thank you, Madam President.

As this is my first time that I address the Security Council in my current capacity as the Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the United Nations, I would first like to greet the distinguished members of the Council and congratulate Malta for steering the Council’s work this month.

I also thank Special Envoy Pedersen, Director Rajasingham and Ms. Hayford for their briefings.

We cannot lose sight of the precarious situation in Syria in the 14th year of the conflict.

The security, economic and humanitarian dimensions of the conflict are simultaneously and interconnectedly deteriorating, with no prospect of hope on the horizon.

This grim picture has now been further complicated by the dangerous escalation in the region.

Syria remains alarmingly exposed to be a battlefield for other hostilities in the Middle East.

It is essential that all relevant parties refrain from steps that could lead to a wider conflict.

It is essential to keep Syria out of this perilous conflagration.

It is also high time to revitalize the political process for the settlement of the Syrian conflict in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.

The only path to ending the crisis goes through establishing national reconciliation by addressing the root causes of the conflict.

We call on the Syrian regime to realistically grasp the vehemence of the conditions surrounding the country and move towards a constructive engagement for a political solution to this conflict, which devastated a whole generation of Syrians.

The Constitutional Committee is the only platform bringing the Syrian regime and the opposition together under UN facilitation for a negotiated solution.

As such, it should not be blocked over the venue issue, and the 9th round of the Committee should be convened without further delay.

We continue to support Special Envoy Pedersen’s efforts towards this end and its proposal for the venue.

No actor should fall into the trap of deceptive comfort created by the current situation on the ground in Syria. Because, it is simply unsustainable, for the country itself, and also for the region.

Millions of Syrians remain scattered around the world including my country, and further millions displaced within the country.

Creating necessary conditions for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Syrians must be a part of all efforts to resolve the crisis.

All relevant actors must do their part in this regard.

Madam President,

The PKK/YPG/”SDF” terrorist organization continues its efforts to advance a separatist and disruptive agenda in northeast Syria.

It constitutes the biggest threat to Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity.

This terrorist organization establishes institutions based on a so-called “Social Covenant” and prepares for so-called elections.

Sheltering and supporting these separatist attempts by PKK/YPG and its offshoot “SDF” contravene UN Security Council Resolutions related to terrorism and Syria.

As has been repeatedly exposed to date, including in several UN reporting, the PKK/ YPG/“SDF” terrorist organization;

- exploits civilian facilities such as schools, hospitals, and water stations; uses these facilities as barracks or ammunition depots;
- directly targets civilian facilities, such as its shelling of Azaz Hospital last week.

The oppressive and inhumane practices employed by this terrorist organization against the local population in northeast Syria cause mass reaction and shows that PKK and its extensions do not fit into the fabric of the area.

Continued tensions in Deir ez-Zor is a case in point.

Large scale violations, torture and maltreatment in the camps and detention centres controlled by this terrorist organization in northeast Syria are also a matter of public record.

We repeat once again: PKK/YPG and its separatist terrorist agenda has no place in Syria’s future.

Madam President,

While the number of people in need of humanitarian aid reached almost 17 million this year in Syria, the highest number since the beginning of the conflict, the socio-economic situation continues to further deteriorate.

The UN’s ability to deliver life-saving cross-border humanitarian assistance is time-bound, short-term and unpredictable.

The ongoing attacks in northwest Syria disrupt humanitarian access and deliveries.

Amid these negative trends, there is also a serious gap of humanitarian financing.

In other words, all major indicators are deeply worrying.

This is the result of 13 years of conflict.

And the result of the failure to bring a political solution to it.

Therefore, we urgently need a realignment of positions towards finding a comprehensive solution in Syria.

Ensuring the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid and sufficient funding is a critical part of that comprehensive approach.

In this context, we expect the renewal of Bab al-Salam and Al-Rai border crossings in May, as well as the continued use of Bab al-Hawa beyond July.

Cross border aid deliveries should continue as long as needed.

Given the necessity to coordinate a humanitarian response to a staggering level of needs as well as according to the situation on the ground, it is important to preserve the “Whole of Syria” approach.

In this respect, an appropriate appointment should be made without delay to the critical position of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis.
Madam President and distinguished members,

Naturally, my country has a special position and role on this issue.

I served as a career diplomat in Damascus and also supervised the Syrian file at our Ministry before coming here.

I will be happy to be part of any deliberation in the future with the members of the Council multilaterally or bilaterally to serve the purposes of Resolution 2254 for the settlement in Syria.

Thank you very much.