FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FIDAN- Dear press members, my esteemed colleague, dear brother, I would like to begin by expressing my pleasure at hosting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Hamad Al Busaidi and his delegation in our country.

As you know, our President visited Oman last October. On that occasion, 16 different agreements were signed.

Today, together with my dear brother, we discussed the projects we are working on and our plans for the future. We are continuing our efforts to increase our bilateral trade volume to five billion dollars.

Last month, as you know, we launched a visa liberalization program between the two countries. This step will hopefully bring great benefits to our countries in many areas, particularly in trade and tourism.

We also aim to further advance our cooperation in the defense industry based on a win-win approach. There are promising projects underway in this area as well.

There is great potential that we can put into practice in economic, political, and cultural matters. We will hold numerous meetings at the technical level in the upcoming period. I am sure that we will further deepen our cooperation thanks to our bonds of brotherhood and our shared vision.

Dear friends, in today's meetings we also have addressed critical issues concerning our region. We will continue to address them in the meetings we will hold after the press conference, because as you know, serious developments are taking place in our region.

One of the top topics in our agenda is the situation in Yemen. As you know, Oman shares a border with Yemen. Developments in Yemen's southern provinces have the potential to cause regional instability. We share the concerns and sensitivities of countries in the region, including Oman, on this matter.

Türkiye strongly supports Yemen's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. We reiterate the need for a lasting political solution in Yemen based on constitutional legitimacy. The prudent and constructive stance of countries in the region, particularly Saudi Arabia, has prevented the escalation of tensions. We hope that the conference to be held in Riyadh upon the call of the Presidential Leadership Council will contribute to Yemen's stability.

As you know, Oman is a country that stands out for its expertise in mediation. Oman is also carrying out important work to establish peace and stability in Yemen. We would also like to thank my esteemed brother and the Government of Oman for their efforts to resolve issues through diplomacy.

Dear friends, today we are also addressing the situation in Gaza. The international community expects the terms of the ceasefire to be fully implemented. However, Israel continues to target civilians and is not allowing the delivery of -sufficient- humanitarian aid to Gaza. Since the ceasefire was declared, the number of Gazans killed by Israel has exceeded 420. As we move into the second phase of the Peace Plan, it is necessary to ensure tranquility on the ground and improve the humanitarian situation. We are also closely following developments regarding the establishment of the Peace Council and the International Stabilization Force for the next phase. We expect the formation of the Peace Council to be announced in the coming days.

It is important that the Temporary Committee, which will take over the administration of Gaza and be composed of Palestinians, be established as soon as possible. We hope that consultations on the nomination of the members of this Committee will be concluded soon.

Dear friends, as we have stated before, three issues regarding the future of Gaza are of great importance for Türkiye:

First of all, the integrity of Gaza must be preserved. Whatever project is implemented—for reconstruction—the integrity of Gaza must be preserved.

Secondly, the administration of Gaza by Gazans is a legal and moral responsibility and obligation.

Thirdly, it is the Gazans who will live in Gaza, and all reconstruction activities in this region should be for the Gazans.

As long as these points are observed, we will continue to support the initiatives on the agenda.

We have long been drawing attention to Israel's policies aimed at destabilizing our region. Netanyahu is playing an extremely dangerous game, attempting to trigger every possible fault line in order to harm the peace and prosperity of neighboring countries. We saw the latest example of this insidious policy last week in Somaliland. Israel's decision to recognize Somaliland is unlawful. This step is an attempt to sow discord in our region and weaken solidarity. Our region must not fall to this trap. Decisions regarding the future of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Somaliland region can only be determined by the will of the Somali people themselves. Türkiye is following this issue very closely. We have decided to convene the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and hopefully, we will hold this extraordinary meeting in Jeddah in the coming days.

Dear friends, as you know, I met with Syrian Foreign Minister Mr. Al-Shaibani in Paris on 6 January on the occasion of the Ukraine-themed meeting. We discussed the progress of the trilateral talks between Syria, the United States, and Israel. We also thoroughly evaluated the contacts made by the Syrian Government with the Syrian Democratic Forces “SDF” last week. As Türkiye, what we hope for is an agreement that takes into account the sensitivities in the region and brings stability to Syria.

On the other hand, the attacks carried out against civilians in Aleppo have unfortunately justified concerns about the true intentions of the “SDF” and led to a pessimistic outlook regarding peace efforts. At this point, the SDF's insistence on protecting what it has at any cost is the biggest obstacle to Syria's peace and stability. This uncompromising attitude is contrary to the realities of Syria and our region. The “SDF” must now put an end to terrorism and separatism.

Dear friends, our region needs peace and prosperity more than ever, and Türkiye will continue to be the guarantor of peace, stability, and security in our region. In line with this goal, we will continue to pursue a responsible, principled, and constructive foreign policy. Our close cooperation with Oman is a concrete reflection of this understanding. We will maintain our stance in favor of dialogue, diplomacy, and justice.

I would like to thank my dear brother, Mr. Al-Busaidi and his delegation once again for their visit in your presence.

Now, I give the floor to him.

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN, SAYYID BADR HAMAD AL BUSAIDI- [SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HILvPfNa4Ho&&t=7m56s

QUESTION: My question is for Mr. Minister Fidan. You briefly mentioned it earlier, but the Damascus regime is continuing its operation in Aleppo. At the same time, talks between the Syrian government and the SDF are ongoing, as is a process between the US, Israel, and Syria. Does Türkiye have a direct or indirect influence on these developments? How do you assess the developments in Syria?

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends, an important question. You know, in terms of our national security, the course of events in Syria is extremely important for us. We are following it very closely. We are also in coordination and liaison with our related regional and international partners.

Now, if we start with the first question, as I also expressed it the other day. What we want to see is stability and regional peace. We don't have a goal other than that. But Israel's expansionism in the region reveals a picture contrary to this vision. They have a security strategy that particularly thrives on division, chaos, and weakness. This needs to change. Therefore, we hope and encourage that the negotiations between Syria, America and Israel will be concluded in favor of the region, in a way that will be for Syria's territorial integrity, security and stability. We are monitoring it closely. We do not hesitate to intervene directly when necessary. We have no problem talking to all parties as our vision is very clear and transparent. Our President has stated this, many times. We have no interest in anyone else's land. No one should have any interest in anyone else's land or territory either. As long as Israel respects everyone's rights and laws, and grants the Palestinians their state, there will be no problem there either. However, instead of this, implementing "divide, fragment and swallow" policies in the region and policies that were put into practice centuries ago, will not benefit anyone. We are closely monitoring these developments.

Now, the events in Aleppo that have been ongoing for the last few days unfortunately represent the realization of what we have been warning about and repeatedly emphasizing for the last year. If the “SDF” had focused on implementing a genuine integration process in its own country instead of playing with time in the region, we would not have seen any of this. Instead, the mentality “Remain uncompromising wherever you are and advance your interests” does not benefit anyone unfortunately. Currently, it has been just over a year since the Syrian government was formed. Now it is healing its own wounds, further enhancing its counter-terrorism capabilities, and providing services to its people on certain issues. Now is the time for national unity. The SDF must do its part at this point. However, instead of this, the fact that it has unfortunately turned out to be an actor to become a tool for Israel's "divide, fragment, and rule" policy in our region, in coordination with Israel, is also no coincidence. We have now begun to view what is happening in Yemen, Somaliland, Sudan, and Syria all from the same perspective, through the same lens. This is our own strategic assessment. You already know that there is a structure that perpetuates the division and occupation in Palestine. There is also an effort to deepen the same occupation in Lebanon. At a time when the Islamic world is moving to the stage of full recovery, at a time when it is starting to leave the fight against terrorism and DAESH behind; at a time when stability, prosperity and integration would occur in the region, another mind's persistent focus on supporting separatist activities and its effort to coordinate them all with a single mind, of course does not escape our attention. Here is what we see: We hope for the normalization of the situation in Aleppo by withdrawal of the “SDF” elements from the Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafieh Neighborhoods in accordance with the agreements reached earlier and clearing these neighborhoods of heavy weapons, creating an environment in which the government can fulfill its duties and responsibilities throughout the city. This is in the best interest of our Kurdish brothers and sisters, our Yazidi brothers and sisters, and all our other brothers and sisters living in Aleppo. In other words, let the Syrian government be in a position to provide basic services throughout Aleppo, including security. Now, if you try to create a separate city within the city of Aleppo, a separate administration within the existing administration, a parallel structure, a parallel state, no sovereign state will accept this. Now, the "SDF" needs to distance itself from this parallel structure and adopt an attitude that will benefit all citizens of Aleppo.

Our related authorities have been in consultation for the last two days. We are in intensive negotiations both with the Syrian side and currently with the American side. Hopefully, this issue will be resolved peacefully and safely, without further bloodshed. But as I said, unfortunately, despite the positive outcomes of all ongoing processes, the “SDF” is resisting taking positive steps; it is not taking them. There is a climate in Türkiye, there are messages coming from the Island, there are direct letters written to them, and there are instructions given. There is a mind that resists this completely. This means that different instructions are coming from elsewhere, there is a different stance, or there is double-dealing going on with us. Qandil has not issued such an instruction to the "SDF" so far. We have not seen any steps by the "SDF" to play a positive role in the current process. There is neither a step to alleviate Türkiye's security concerns nor an integrative step that would contribute to stability in Syria. I hope they will abandon coordination with Israel as soon as possible. We are closely monitoring this issue to see if they resolve it with the region's primary components.

QUESTION- I would like to ask both Ministers a question. How do you evaluate the withdrawal process of the Southern Transitional Council forces from the places they seized in Yemen and the dialogue process with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates?

You have contacts with both sides. What specific issues do you raise during your discussions?

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE SULTANATE OF OMAN, SAYYID BADR HAMAD AL BUSAIDI - [SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HILvPfNa4Ho&&t=22m24s

FOREIGN MINISTER HAKAN FİDAN- Dear friends; I agree with my esteemed colleague. Both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are two powerful and valuable countries in the region. They are also our friends. They are distinguished members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. For many years, our commercial, economic, political, security and many more relations have been continuing, it is extremely important that the two important, principal countries of the Gulf resolve their disputes on certain issues through dialogue. Therefore, we are ready to do whatever is necessary to create the right conditions for this. We are in contact with both sides. During this crisis, as you know, our President met with leaders; I have been also involved in a traffic of messages and information transfers—between the parties—through intensive phone diplomacy. As I said regarding this issue, it is important to eliminate misunderstandings and for the two countries to reach a point where they can manage both the Yemen issue and other regional problems. We do not think that the picture that will emerge in a situation where the problems between them are magnified even more and cannot be managed will bring benefits either for the Gulf and for our region. However, I also stated in my speech that we are also aware of the developments in the region, especially the threat that recent developments pose to Saudi Arabia. These should also be followed up very closely.

I thank you again for your interest; thank you very much.

* Deciphered by Interpress- unofficial translation from the Turkish text