In response to a question by German MP Gökay Akbulut (DIE LINKE), the Federal Foreign Office stated that the Federal Government had called on Turkey to pursue its "security interests in Syria" politically and not by military means.
The German government has called on Turkey to pursue its "security interests in Syria" politically and not by military means. This was announced by the Foreign Office in response to a parliamentary question by left-wing MP Gökay Akbulut.
Referring to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's alleged "feminist foreign policy", Akbulut had asked to what extent the Foreign Office would stand against Turkey's announced military invasion of northern Syria and the "secular defence force YPG and the women's defence unit YPJ, which are allies of the Western alliance in the fight against the so-called 'Islamic State'", and what communication there had been between the Foreign Office and Turkish authorities on this.
In the Federal Government's response of 14 June, State Secretary Susanne Baumann stated: "The situation in Syria, including the Turkish military operations, is a regular topic of discussion for the Federal Government with representatives of the Turkish government. Most recently, the Federal Government approached Turkey on this matter last week. The Federal Government has repeatedly called on Turkey to pursue its security interests in Syria by political means and not by military means. In addition, the Federal Government has always very clearly expressed to Turkey its expectation that in its military engagement in Syria, Turkey must attach outstanding importance to the protection of the civilian population, especially women and children, and to compliance with international humanitarian law."
