A Turkish army tank stationed near the Syrian border, in Suruc, Turkey, Sept. 3, 2016. (AP Photo)
The leader of Turkey’s main opposition party has called for restoring relations with the Damascus government as a way to bring peace to Syria.
“The channel of communication between Ankara and Damascus is the easiest way to bring peace,” Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), said on September 28, according to the Anadolu Agency.
The remarks came during the “Gate to Peace in Syria” conference, which was held by the CHP. Diplomats from various countries, academics, experts, and journalists attended the conference that aims to contribute to restoring peace in Syria.
During his speech in the conference, Kilicdaroglu also stressed Turkey’s right to fight against terrorist organizations in Syria. However, he noted that this should be done in coordination with Damascus.
“Turkey’s struggle against terror beyond its borders is a right guaranteed by international agreements and engagements,” said Kilicdaroglu, adding that Ankara should continue its counter-terrorism efforts with “respect for Syria’s territorial integrity and by establishing direct relations with Damascus.”
Ankara, under the rule of the Justice and Development (AK) party, intervened in the Syrian conflict from its very start, supporting several anti-government groups.
Earlier this year, the CHP began to gain momentum with its candidate, Ekrem Imamoglu, winning the mayoral elections in Istanbul. The AK party controlled this important post for more than fourteen years.
Kilicdaroglu’s statement marks a new appearing trend of the Turkish public politics. Ankara is hosting more than three million Syrian refugees, many of them are relaying on the government for aid or public services.
