Turkey will only consider withdrawing its military forces from northern Syria once a comprehensive new constitution is accepted, free elections are held and border security is fully guaranteed, Defense Minister Yaşar Güler said in a written interview with Reuters.
Güler emphasized that any discussions of a Turkish pullout hinge on meeting these prerequisites, which he framed as essential for ensuring stability and security in the area.
“We are ready to provide all the support we can for a comprehensive constitution to be accepted, for free elections to be held, and for a comprehensive normalization and security atmosphere to be created, and only when these are done and the security of our border is fully ensured will we do what is necessary through mutual coordination,” Güler said when asked about a possible Turkish withdrawal.
The defense minister also opened the door to potential ministerial-level talks between Turkey and Syria, provided that the “suitable conditions” for such discussions are created. This follows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent expression of willingness to engage in dialogue with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, although Assad has maintained that talks would only be viable if they focus on Turkey’s withdrawal from Syrian territory.
Erdoğan has long signaled that he might reconsider his relationship with Assad.
In a gesture of reconciliation towards Damascus, Erdoğan said in early July he could invite Assad to Turkey “at any time.”
Turkey hosts some 3.2 million Syrian refugees among its population of 85 million, according to UN figures.
Their future regularly comes up in Turkish political debate, with some opponents of Erdoğan promising to send them back to Syria.
NATO commitment and F-16 deal
In the interview Güler reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to NATO, stating that the country prioritizes fulfilling its responsibilities to the alliance even as it explores closer ties with other international organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Güler clarified that NATO membership does not preclude Turkey from developing relations with the SCO, which is seen by some as a counterbalance to Western alliances.
The defense minister also discussed the ongoing negotiations over Turkey’s purchase of 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits from the United States. He expressed satisfaction with the progress of the talks, which were greenlit following Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership bid, and expressed hope that the deal would proceed smoothly. “We are pleased with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernization, and we hope the project will be completed without a problem until the last jet is delivered,” he said.
Güler mentioned that while Turkey remains interested in acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Germany, Britain and Spain, there have been no significant developments on that front yet.