Permanent Representative of Türkiye to the UN Raised the Syrian Chemical Weapons Issue

Turkey's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, spoke at the UN Security Council, which convened under the title "Situation in the Middle East" about the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.

Stating that the chemical weapons problem in Syria continues to be one of the most serious legacies of the Assad era, Yıldız said that the Syrian government is determined to handle this problem in a transparent manner and in close coordination with the international community.

Yıldız said, "We firmly believe that sustainable progress on chemical weapons can best be achieved through practical, gradual and well-coordinated cooperation with Syria, taking into account the realities on the ground." he said.

In this context, Yıldız stated that they continue to provide support to strengthen Syria's technical and logistical capacity, and that they are pleased to see that Syria is progressing steadily on this path.

Turkish Ambassador stated that they are aware of the difficulties related to the detection and destruction of the chemical program inherited from the old regime in Syria and said, "These difficulties were further increased by air strikes targeting Israel's potential chemical weapons facilities after the collapse of the old regime." he said.

Noting that Israel's attacks may cause the release of dangerous substances and endanger the civilian population in the surrounding area, Yıldız also warned that the attacks may lead to the destruction of evidence that may be indispensable for revealing the facts about the use of chemical weapons in the past and ensuring accountability.

Yıldız said, "Finally, we reiterate our strong support for the Syrian-led efforts on the chemical weapons file and encourage all member states to give their full support. Our common goal is clear: to achieve a Syria permanently free of chemical weapons and to close this dark era once and for all." he said.