EP.854: Ex-Turkish Foreign Minister on SOARING Turkey-Russia Tensions in Syria

On this episode of Going Underground, we speak to former Turkish foreign minister Yasar Yakis about the growing tensions between Turkey, Russia and Syria over the Idlib offensive by the Syrian Army. He discusses the Russian sale of the S400 air defence system to Turkey and how this complicates NATO-Turkey relations, why it was a mistake to accept so many Syrian refugees and what he would have done differently had he still been Foreign Minister, what a deal between Moscow and Turkey would look like, growing tensions between Turkey and Greece over the Syrian refugee crisis and more! Next we speak to Pal Nesse of the Norwegian Refugee Council about the growing humanitarian crisis in Idlib, the EU’s disregard for international law regarding refugee rights, international powers ignoring opportunities for peace in Syria and more! Finally, we speak to Feng Yong, a Health Counsellor in China’s Permanent Mission to the UN about the growing Coronavirus outbreak. He discusses the threat the disease poses to humanity, the economic damage Coronavirus has cost to China, what the number one priorities for China should be regarding recovery and more!

Statement from Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

In the last few days, Greece faces a sudden, massive, organized and coordinated pressure due to the movement of populations at its eastern land and sea borders. This movement is directed and encouraged by Turkey. These actions are happening in breach of the obligations arising from the Common Declaration between the EU and Turkey. Turkey, instead of curbing the trafficker’s channels of migrants and refugees, has itself undertaken the role of a trafficker. Due to its coordinated, illegal and massive nature, this relocation of people falls outside international law regarding the right of international asylum, which concerns only individual cases. Greece unequivocally exercises its sovereign right and constitutional obligation to protect its territorial integrity and the integrity of EU borders .

The above tactics of the Turkish side are complemented by a campaign of production and dissemination of fake news against our country. Such fake news relate to supposed injuries-and even one dead- due to gunshots from the Greek side. The Greek government has categorically denied that: there is no such incident with fire from the Greek authorities.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council of the European Union President Charles MICHEL, President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, joined Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on a visit to the borders at Evros River. The EU officials who visited Greece's borders confirmed the necessity of respecting international law and human rights, and expressed their confidence in the steps the Greek government took to manage the crisis at the Greek-Turkish borders. They also confirmed their support and solidarity with Greece, during their statements at the Cultural Center of Kastanies in Evros prefecture.

The EU Ministers of Home Affairs met, jointly with the Ministers of the Schengen Associated Countries, in an extraordinary Council meeting to discuss the situation at the EU's external borders with Turkey. In line with the strong statements of the four presidents of EU institutions during their recent visit to the Greek-Turkish border, the Council expressed its solidarity with Greece, with Bulgaria and Cyprus and other Member States, which might be similarly affected, including in efforts to manage EU’s external borders.

STATEMENT FROM AN IRANIAN DIPLOMAT IN EUROPE:

Iran is in Syria just at the advisory level, and based on the official invitation by the Syrian legitimate government. Israel has a track record of hostility and attacking towards all its neighbouring and not neighbouring countries repeatedly, both Turkey and Syria have targeted. Israel violates international law almost on daily basis.