Emine Osê, deputy co-chair of the Executive Council of the Northern and Eastern Syria Autonomous Administration, reports on the preparations for the new year. This involves protecting the region and finalizing the institutionalization of the system.
In this interview with ANF, Eminê Osê, the deputy co-chair of the Executive Council of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Northern and Eastern Syria, assesses the work of the administration in 2021 and gives a perspective on the coming year.
Can you say that you had a successful year politically?
In terms of Autonomous Administration, there were many achievements in 2021, but also many challenges. First and foremost, the severe embargoes against Northern and Eastern Syria should be mentioned here. The attacks on the region never stopped either. Of course, great progress has also been made. We had many diplomatic talks around the world. As a result of these talks, the self-proclaimed Syrian “opposition forces” were thwarted. The talks in Geneva, Astana and the Constitutional Commission have therefore failed. In contrast, many other diplomatic doors have opened for us.
Can this be seen as a success towards the recognition of the Autonomous Administration?
The recognition of the Autonomous Administration was at the center of our political and diplomatic efforts. As a democratic front, it is about laying the foundations for solving the Syrian crisis. We will expand our efforts to create a roadmap for a solution and promote its implementation in both Northern and Eastern Syria as well as all of Syria.
What is your strategy in terms of political relations for 2022?
Our main strategy will be to strengthen the relations between the peoples of the region and to develop stronger diplomatic relations with Middle Eastern countries than with European countries. We will try to open in places where we do not have representation.
What threats do you see and what preparations are you going to make to counter them?
Efforts to destroy the project of the democratic nation by putting people against each other with the help of special warfare methods will continue in 2022. The situation can get even worse. On the one hand, the government of Damascus is trying to use the defeat of the opposition to present itself stronger. On the other hand, the Turkish occupation and the elements that they created in the region pose a great danger. We will concentrate our efforts to neutralize the effects of special warfare. We will therefore put even more emphasis on organization. After the social contract and the elections, our organizational system will be one of our most important tasks. Another important work will be to mobilize all of our resources to ensure that our people are not affected by the embargo.
There were numerous talks between the Autonomous Administration and the government in Damascus. At what level did these meetings take place?
The insistence of the government in Damascus on preventing a solution, the disregard for the will of the people and the prioritization of our own position of power have so far not enabled us to achieve results in talks. Russia and other foreign powers have never made serious efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict. But that does not mean that we are giving up on our solution project. Our basic principle is that the solution should be within Syria. We are constantly striving to open the door to dialogue and a lasting solution.
It looks like the military and political attacks will continue. How to counter those?
One of the Autonomous Administration projects for 2022 is to prevent these attacks. We have the strength to do it. The enemy should not imagine that they can affect us on economic or organizational terrain, because their special wars as well as military attacks will achieve nothing. Our people will always stand by the side of their own forces with great willingness to sacrifice and defend their achievements.
What can you say about your other goals and projects for 2022?
A specific budget has been allocated for health, business, education and community services. At the same time, we have important work ahead of us over the next year to ensure that people have more jobs available and that they can support themselves in the event of war. It is also about further organizing and institutionalizing all areas after the social contract and the elections. Important preparations have been made to get this system up and running. Our youth, women, business, health, community and education departments work hard. All our institutions and committees have published their annual plans. Consequently, we want to start the new year with greater preparation and complete all the tasks that we have before us with great success.
