Ankara, Feb. 20 (SANA) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the comprehensive agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a “positive development,” saying Turkey is closely monitoring the ongoing integration process in northeastern Syria.
Speaking at an iftar dinner on Thursday, Erdogan said, according to Anadolu Agency: “Our neighbor Syria is witnessing positive developments. Last month, an agreement was reached to resolve the situation in northern Syria through peaceful means, and the process of full integration has begun.”
He said the step aligns with efforts to enhance regional security and stability while reducing cross-border threats.
The Turkish president added that Ankara attaches utmost importance to the success of the integration process. He said the developments are consistent with Turkey’s “Terrorism-Free Turkey” initiative, launched about a year and a half ago, which aims to permanently secure the Turkish-Syrian border.
On global affairs, Erdogan pointed to major geopolitical shifts, saying Türkiye can now meet 80 percent of its defense needs domestically, reversing its reliance on foreign suppliers more than two decades ago.
He reaffirmed Turkey’s determination to strengthen its air and naval fleets with domestically produced fighter jets and aircraft carriers in the coming period to safeguard national interests.
