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The Netherlands’ foreign trade and development cooperation minister on Wednesday hailed Turkey’s “generous policy” in protection of Syrians.
“Turkey carries out a generous policy in protection of Syrians in the country,” Sigrid Kaag said in a written statement.
Kaag added that Turkey contributed largely in reduction of the number of irregular migrants, as well as the drowning cases in the sea.
She made her remarks upon a parliamentary question by Dutch lawmakers on the deal between Turkey and the EU in March 2016, which aims to stem the irregular migration flow through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving conditions for over 3 million Syrians in Turkey.
Kaag said the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRIT) provided many Syrian children with education, and ensured livelihood of Syrian families in Turkey.
“That Syrians consciously choose to stay in Turkey instead of the EU proves that the condition in Turkey is good for Syrians,” she stated.
According to UNCHR figures, the number of Syrians residing in Turkey has risen to 3.5 million in August, which stood at 3.4 million at the beginning of the year, Kaag said.
“Apart from this, Turkey takes other migrant groups and vulnerable people under protection, as well,” she said, adding that the number was 2.7 million in 2015 and it rose to 3.7 million in 2018.
“According to these figures, we need to continue supporting Turkey through FRIT,” she said.
The Netherlands understands Turkey’s fight against irregular migration and its efforts to intensify border security in conflict zones, Kaag stressed.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and his U.S. counterpart Michael Pompeo held a phone call on Wednesday, a source in the Turkish foreign ministry said, as the ministers attended an ASEAN meeting in Singapore.The call was requested by Pompeo, the source said.Çavuşoğlu and Pompeo discussed developments in Syria's Idlib and Manbij, along with bilateral issues in their phone call.The call comes as violence in Idlib, the last major opposition-held enclave in Syria, escalated with Russia resuming air strikes in the region.DefMin expresses Turkey’s discomfort at YPG presence in Syria to US representativeTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions over the detention of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey over terrorism charges.Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.Political tensions between the two countries had sparked worries in markets this month, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure against Turkey over the American pastor.Turkish finance minister shares policies in London
Turkey, US foreign ministers discuss Syria's Idlib and Manbij
The top U.S. military officer warned on Tuesday that a major Syrian military assault on the opposition-held enclave of Idlib would lead to a "humanitarian catastrophe" and instead recommended more narrowly tailored operations.The northern province and surrounding areas are the last major swathe of territory held by the opposition fighting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has been backed by both Russian and Iranian forces in Syria's seven-year-old civil war.They are also home to some 3 million civilians.Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there was no doubt about the risks to civilians given Idlib's terrain and difficult operating environment.DefMin expresses Turkey’s discomfort at YPG presence in Syria to US representative"We don't see any way that significant military operations are going to be beneficial to the people of Syria," Dunford told reporters during a trip to Athens."If major military operations take place we can expect humanitarian catastrophe and I think we would all want to see that be avoided," Marine General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters during a trip to Athens.Last week, a source close to Damascus said the government was preparing a phased offensive to recover Idlib province, but Turkey, whose army has a string of observation posts around the edge of the opposition area, has warned against such an assault.Iran has called for the opposition to be "cleaned out" of Idlib.UN sees 'moment of truth' for Syria political processDunford said it was still unclear to him how large of an operation was being planned by the Russian-backed Syrian forces to clear the opposition out of the enclave."I'm suggesting that counter-terrorism operations should take place in a manner that mitigates the risk of the loss of innocent life," he said.Kremlin dismisses Trump warning on Syria's IdlibPressed about the best course, Dunford said: "More of a discussion between the Turks, the Syrians and the Russians at more precise counterterrorism operations -- as opposed to large scale conventional operations -- would be the right approach."Dunford's remarks followed a warning on Monday by U.S. President Donald Trump that hundreds of thousands of civilians could be killed by if Syrian and Russian forces "recklessly attack" Idlib.Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, wrote on Twitter late on Monday: "All eyes on the actions of Assad, Russia, and Iran in Idlib. #NoChemicalWeapons."Russia resumes Idlib air strikes: Syrian ObservatoryPossible war between Israel, Iran looms
Top US general warns against major assault on Syria's Idlib
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday received U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, James Jeffrey, in the capital Ankara.In a closed-door meeting, Akar expressed Turkey's discomfort at the YPG/PKK presence in Syria and said that the terror group must leave the region.He also conveyed Turkey’s intention to continue protecting its security and regional interests in accordance with international law, as well as the need to completely rid the region from the terrorist organization.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people.Video: Turkish Defense Minister receives US Special Representative for SyriaThe request came as Turkish and U.S. forces are carrying out joint patrols in the northwestern Syrian city of Manbij as part of a roadmap to clear the area of the YPG.Turkey has carried out two-cross border operations against the YPG in Syria.In a move long sought by Turkey, the NATO allies agreed in June to implement a roadmap for the northern Syrian city of Manbij, where Ankara had threatened to push its ground offensive despite the U.S. troops stationed there.UN sees 'moment of truth' for Syria political processKremlin dismisses Trump warning on Syria's IdlibRussia resumes Idlib air strikes: Syrian ObservatoryPossible war between Israel, Iran loomsYPG/PKK terror group suffers heavy losses in August
Turkey tells US that YPG/PKK must leave Syria
Talks between major powers this month on setting up a committee to lead constitutional reform in Syria will be a "moment of truth" for a credible political process, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura told reporters on Tuesday.De Mistura will hold separate sets of talks next week, one involving Russia, Turkey and Iran, and the other including the United States and Saudi Arabia, to discuss the makeup of the committee.He said it must not be allowed to become a "long, winding process about the process" but could be the entry point into Syrian government reforms leading to elections after the war. Kremlin dismisses Trump warning on Syria's Idlib'White Helmets saved 115,000 lives in Syria'Trump warns Assad against ‘recklessly attacking’ Idlib
UN sees 'moment of truth' for Syria political process
The Kremlin dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump's warning to Syria not to launch an offensive in the opposition-held enclave of Idlib, saying on Tuesday that the area was a "nest of terrorism".Trump on Monday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies Iran and Russia not to "recklessly attack" the northwestern Syrian province, saying hundreds of thousands of people could be killed."Just to speak out with some warnings, without taking into account the very dangerous, negative potential for the whole situation in Syria, is probably not a full, comprehensive approach," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.The presence of the opposition in Idlib was undermining the Syrian peace process and making the region a base for attacks on Russian forces in Syria, Peskov added.Trump warns Assad against ‘recklessly attacking’ Idlib"A fairly large group has settled there and of course this leads to a general destabilisation of the situation. It undermines attempts to bring the situation onto the track of a political-diplomatic settlement," he said."We know that Syria's armed forces are preparing to resolve this problem," he added.Russia resumed air strikes in Idlib province on Tuesday after a hiatus of several weeks, according to a Syrian opposition member and a war monitor.A source has told Reuters that Assad is preparing a phased offensive to regain the province.The situation around Idlib will be one of the main items on the agenda when the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey meet in Tehran this week, Peskov told reporters on a conference call, declining to elaborate further. UN sees 'moment of truth' for Syria political processAssad sought peace with Israel in 2010: Kerry memoir
Kremlin dismisses Trump warning on Syria's Idlib