US our ally & strategic partner: Turkish PM

His Excellency the Prime Minister of Turkey Binali Yildirim talked in the first part of this exclusive interview about the Qatar-Turkey friendship, bilateral economic relations, and implementations of 30 bilateral cooperation agreements ranging from economy, science, culture and military and security cooperation.
In this second and final part of the interview he focused on Turkey’s regional role to maintain peace and security in the region highlighting, Turkey-Russia cooperation in Syria, Turkey’s relations with Russia, the European Union, the United States, it’s efforts in the ongoing global campaign against terrorism, ties with Iraq and peace and transitional process in Syria including peace talks in Astana, and Geneva.
To a question about possible next step after the Euphrates Shield and the Idleb operation to solve Syria crisis, he said: “We successfully completed Operation Euphrates Shield at the end of March 2017 which we started in August 2016 in order to ensure our border security and wipe the terrorist elements out from our borders.”
With the support of Turkish Armed Forces, 243 residential districts and 2015 sqkm area has been cleared of the terrorist elements by the operation and through this 2647 Daesh members were neutralised, he said.
“Thanks to the operation, the contagious zone in our border with Syria has been completely cleared of the Daesh elements, thus strengthening our border security. Also, enabling approximately 70,000 Syrians to return de-terrorised areas from Turkey. From the military point of view, the fact that Daesh has had to go on the defensive as a result of their bitter defeat in the Operation Euphrates Shield has contributed to the fight against Daesh in Syria.”
During the 6th Astana Meeting (14-15 September), Idleb was declared “de-escalation zone” and guarantor states came to an agreement to deploy an observer. Following the reconnaissance activities in Idleb, Turkish Armed Forces started building observation points as of 12 October. The first observation point was built on October 13, the second on October 23.
In accordance with the agreement in Astana, Turkish Armed Forces will continue its deployment in the forthcoming period in coordination with other two guarantors. The fundamental duty of the Turkish Armed Forces will be to achieve the implementation of the ceasefire within the framework of Astana Agreement so as to ensure the security of the local people and civilians who have been displaced and had to take refuge in Idleb.
On Turkish-Russian cooperation in Syria and what is the prospect of cooperation, the Prime Minister said: “Through our cooperation with Russia regarding Syria which started in 2016, we primarily ensured the safe evacuation of 45,000 people thanks to the ceasefire we secured in Aleppo.”
“After this, we made a move to extend this ceasefire throughout Syria. As a result of our joint efforts with Russia, a ceasefire was declared throughout Syria to be effective as of December 30, 2016. In this stage, everybody gives credit to the success of the Astana Meetings mechanism which we started with the participation of Iran, another important actor in the area as well as Russia to strengthen this ceasefire regime.”
“The fact that de-escalation memorandum signed in the Astana Talks which has significantly decreased the violations of the ceasefire constitutes another remarkable gain of the cooperation between Turkey and Russia regarding Syria. We would like to continue the current cooperation with Russia in order to contribute to the efforts to find a permanent solution for the Syrian conflict in the forthcoming period. We also wish to transfer the positive atmosphere we created by establishing peace on site to the Geneva Process,” the Prime Minister said.
Regarding Astana Talks and the process of political transition in Syria, he said that since the beginning of the Syrian conflict, we believed that this conflict can only be settled with a lasting and reliable political solution. We have also argued that first of all peace should be established in order to negotiate the political solution.
Due to our joint efforts with Russia, it is also the goal of a nationwide ceasefire to be effective as of December 30, 2016. The whole effort in Astana is aimed at establishing peace required from the very beginning and ensure a positive atmosphere on ground through confidence building measures. Everybody agrees that it is true that the achievements in Astana have revived and accelerated the political process carried out in Geneva,” “The fact that de-escalation memorandum signed in the Astana Talks which has significantly decreased the violations of the ceasefire constitutes another remarkable gain of the cooperation between Turkey and Russia regarding Syria. We would like to continue the current cooperation with Russia in order to contribute to the efforts to find a permanent solution for the Syrian conflict in the forthcoming period. We also wish to transfer the positive atmosphere we created by establishing peace on site to the Geneva Process,” the Prime Minister said.
“It is essential to derive the legitimacy of the search for a lasting and reliable solution to the Syrian conflict from the UN which addresses the political solution process through Geneva negotiations. We support the outcomes of the indirect negotiations being conducted in Geneva between the conflicting parties under the auspices of the UN, on the basis of the established UN parameters by preserving the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria and taking into account legitimate demands of our Syrian brothers and sisters.”
However, it is also a fact that the Geneva process has unfortunately failed to show the desired progress. Those who are accountable for this situation are obvious. The regime has not been engaged sincerely and seriously to the Geneva process so far. As long as the regime maintains its position, it is difficult for the process to be successful. For this reason, we are telling all relevant parties and countries, in particular those with influence over the regime, that it is essential to put pressure on the regime rather than adopting an approach that forces the opposition to make concessions.”
When asked whether there is any common perception between Turkey, Russia and Iran about this, he said as is known, the route map of a reliable political transition in Syria is drawn by UN Security Council Resolution 2254 binding on all UN members. This resolution is binding for the guarantor states in Astana. The main aim of the Astana Talks is to establish peace on site to support the efforts for political solution.
The guarantor states of Astana have reiterated both this point and their support to the Geneva process. Moreover, within the context of a political solution, it is necessary that the Geneva process should be supported not only by Astana guarantors but also by different proposals to be put forward by other third parties.
On diplomatic crisis recently broke out between Turkey and the US, he said: “We are closely following all the issues that create sensitivity in our relations with the US.”
On October 8, the US announced a decision incompatible with our allied relations and declared that it suspended issuing visas in Turkey. This decision, which is beyond understanding and announced without consulting us, is regrettable. Of course, we reacted in response and suspended visa services for US citizens.”
“It is vital to resolve this issue that harms the citizens of both countries as soon as possible and return to normalcy. We continue our contacts with the United States to this end. We wish that the problem will be solved by dialogue and with prudence as soon as possible.”
When asked about his expectations for the future of the Turkey-US relations in light of the differences on several issues, the Prime Minister said: “We have been in a long-established and long-standing cooperation with the US.
The relations between Turkey and the US currently passing through a critical period, there are serious problems between us. However, it is possible to overcome these problems.
Turkey faces several regional problems such as international terrorism, problems experienced in Syria and Iraq and refugee crisis. We hope our relations and cooperation with the US, our ally and strategic partner, to progress positively and be further enhanced.
We have an expectation that the US unwaveringly take side and be in solidarity with us regarding the matters that pose a threat for Turkey’s national security such as FETO and PYD/YPG. We believe that mutual continuation of intense contacts and efforts has a great significance for reaching a compromise on our diverse approaches and improving our cooperation.”
On relations with Iraq, he said that Iraq is one of the most important countries of the Middle East. Recent developments experienced in Iraq directly affect the stability and security of our region. “Independently of the referendum, we have always paid strict attention to maintaining our relations with Iraq at the utmost level. Territorial integrity, sovereignty and political association of Iraq are the fundamental principles of our relations. The referendum held in spite of all warnings evidently violated the Iraqi Constitution and constituted a challenge to these principles. Thereupon, we carried certain measures into effect in coordination with the Government of Iraq in order to restrain KRG leadership from making more serious mistakes. We have never targeted Iraqi Kurdish people while taking these measures.
On the other hand, we announced that we supported the steps taken by the Government of Iraq to establish its constitutional sovereignty of the country. We came to terms with the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haydar El-Ebadi when he paid a visit to Turkey on October 25, 2017 on improving every aspect of our relations especially the fields of security, economy and energy.
Iraq is our friend, the people of Iraq are our brothers and sisters. We wish all communities making up the society of Iraq to work for providing lasting stability and security in the country and we support the steps taken for this purpose. We are determined to improve our relations with the Government of Iraq within this framework.”
When asked whether Turkey will play a role in persuading the central government to avoid the mistakes of the past with regard to the situation inside Iraq, he said: “Turkey and Iraq have profound historical relations. Turkey supports the steps taken by Iraqi government to ensure the security and stability in the country.
Our preferential expectations are that Iraq achieves a federal and democratic system based on fair share of power and income through inclusive policies; and dispatch the terrorist organisations sheltering within Iraqi territory and also posing a threat both for Iraq and Turkey, through solidifying properly her sovereignty and her unity within Iraqi territory.
Turkey supports the unity and integrity of Iraq and believes that every decision regarding the future of Iraq should be made by the consent of all relevant parties and the Iraqi people, within the framework of the provisions of the Iraqi constitution and through dialogue and consensus. Being just about to get rid of the evil of Daesh, it is a must for Iraq to take lessons from the mistakes made in the past; follow more inclusive policies; address the structural issues of the country; and concentrate on national consensus and reconstruction work.Our country is ready to support our neighbour Iraq in the steps it will take in this direction.”
On some media reports suggesting battles in which the Iraqi army has regained some towns from the hands of the Kurdish Peshmerga involved pro-Iran Shia militias and Turkey’s position over it, the Prime Minister said: “Turkey thinks that the Iraqi Government should establish the constitutional sovereignty all over the country without feeling under pressure of any kind of power.
Also, Turkey asserts that the elements participating in the military operations have to obey the instructions of the Iraqi Government. The critical demographic structure of the regions in dispute for belonging, particularly Kirkuk, requires that the regime and security structure involving all constituents of the people should be established in these regions.
Turkey delivers to the addressees on every occasion that she is ready to give support to the Iraqi Government to achieve these goals.
On recent acts of terror in Somalia, he said there has been some claims on international press proposing that the principal target of the terrorist attack occurred in Mogadishu on October 14, 2017 was Turkish Military Training Facility.
The support given by Turkey either for the reestablishment of the state or for providing the socio-economic development in Somalia since 2011 has been followed with great interest by all sections in Somalia as well as the international community.
Turkish Training Facility which has been inaugurated at the end of September will have a critical role for Somalia to attain the potential to provide the security of the people and the country. In this facility, we will train the personnel (officer and sergeant) which will form the backbone of Somalia National Military.
Turkish General Staff takes the necessary measures and regulations with regards to the security of the facility and the curriculum as a result of a thorough exercise. Moreover, all measures have been taken for the security of Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.Turkish General Staff takes the necessary measures and regulations with regards to the security of the facility and the curriculum as a result of a thorough exercise. Moreover, all measures have been taken for the security of Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.

READ PART 1: Qatar-Turkey relations reach new heights