Turkish Diplomat Discusses Missteps in Syria

Jul 31, 2013

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou (L) pins a badge of EU presidency on the collar of his Turkish counterpart Yasar Yakis (R) upon his arrival in Ankara January 30, 2003. Greek Foreign Minister Papandreou whose country holds a terms' presidency of the European Union will attend a meeting of the European Union troika in Ankara January 31, 2003. ??? USE ONLY - RTXLR19 — Then-Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis assuming the EU presidency in Ankara, Jan. 30, 2003. — REUTERS

Recent developments in northern Syria were critical points of the war in the country, but also significant for the Kurds seeking autonomy for themselves in the region. Turkish officials struggling to solve their 30-year Kurdish issue followed the events with anxiety and tried to influence them.

We spoke to Yasar Yakis, a founding member of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its first foreign minister. Yakis, who was the longest-serving Turkish diplomat in the Middle East, is currently lecturing at University of Oxford’s St. Antony’s College. What follows are excerpts from the interview:

Taraf: Did the steps toward a Kurdish region in Syria come as a surprise for you?

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Turkish Diplomat Discusses Missteps in Syria

In an interview with Taraf, veteran Turkish diplomat Yasar Yakis speaks about Turkey's position toward Syria and his views on recent Kurdish developments in northern Syria.

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