By Janet Ekstract, NEW YORK – On November 10, Turkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held high-level talks at the White House that included meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and senior U.S. officials. Fidan presented Turkiye’s views on Syria, Gaza and several other major regional issues while explaining his nation’s position on Syria’s political and territorial integrity, continuing sanctions and the situation in conflict-affected areas. Fidan spoke to the Turkish press including Anadolu Agency in Washington, D.C. It was the first visit to the White House by a Syrian president since Syria’s independence about 80 years ago. President al-Sharaa was met with U.S. President Donald Trump and key members of the Trump administration.Fidan told the press that he had already been invited to the White House and that he met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President JD Vance, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, U.S. Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al Shaibani.
Regarding Syria, Fidan highlighted two major issues: the effective management of southern and northern Syria and other regions and work on the Caesar Act. He said these issues were discussed in detail and Fidan said he presented the Turkish positions on Syria. The Turkish foreign minister also said he discussed opportunities for cooperation with the U.S. and a number of other issues related to Syria’s development, unity, solidarity, peace and regional security. Fidan and President al-Sharaa also had a closed-door meeting but no details about that were shared with the media. A major goal for Turkiye is to see U.S. sanctions on Syria lifted, that were imposed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act so that Syria can restart its economy. Fidan lauded the Trump administration’s position on the issue: “It was incredibly important that the administration shared the same view and made such a recommendation to Congress. Therefore, I believe both al-Sharaa’s statements and our statements are of paramount importance.”
On a cautionary note, Fidan warned about the increased risks to Syria’s territorial unity, citing the unrest in southern Sweida that’s controlled by the PKK/YPG – known as the SDF by the U.S. As Fidan cautioned: “If the problems here aren’t managed carefully, there’s a possibility of a problem affecting the country’s entire regional integrity and territorial integrity,” adding “It’s certainly important that the Americans understand this, and I see they do.” The goal, Fidan reiterated is a unified Syria that makes room for all ethnic and religious groups, providing for their security and that no regional actor poses any threat.
