Q&A: Syria’s integrity is Türkiye’s priority, Fahrettin Altun says

The toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has thrust Türkiye into the geopolitical spotlight, with Ankara set to play a key role in the future of its fractured neighbour.

Türkiye is one of the main winners of the ouster of al-Assad – having backed the rebels who seized power – and it will have a huge influence on the country’s affairs, both directly through its new leaders and indirectly via Western heads of state, many analysts say.

In an interview with Euronews, Fahrettin Altun, head of communications in the Turkish presidency, talked about Ankara’s assessment of the new Syrian reality and its stance on the country’s future.

Altun also spoke about Türkiye’s recent mediation between Somalia and Ethiopia to resolve a dispute over plans for a port in Somaliland, its willingness to host further peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and the country’s continued desire to join the EU.

Euronews: How do you assess the situation in Syria, and what is Türkiye’s stance? It is alleged that the collapse of al-Assad’s regime in such a short time was due to Türkiye’s diplomacy with Russia and Iran. Is that true?

Altun: Türkiye has stood by the side of the righteous, just, and oppressed throughout its history. Our country maintains this stance in Syria and persists in its sincere endeavours to heal the wounds of the brotherly Syrian people, contribute to their development, and serve peace.

For this reason, we prioritise the peace and safety of the local population. To this end, we are working to ensure the “voluntary, safe, and dignified” repatriation of Syrian refugees.

Syria cannot be evaluated as merely a regional crisis because it is a critical issue with global implications. Türkiye’s priority is protecting Syria’s territorial integrity, political unity, and unitary structure. This structure is essential to ensuring the integrity of the region and the future of the Syrian people.

Since the onset of the Syrian crisis, Türkiye has advocated for the legitimate demands and rights of the Syrian people and respected their free will. Syrian people’s struggle to shape their future, as well as their resistance, have been the decisive factor in this process.

Under the guidance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s vision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making significant efforts through intense diplomacy traffic and keeping communication channels open to all parties in the region to ensure the protection of Syria’s territorial integrity and establish a lasting peace.

Türkiye’s diplomatic contacts with Russia and Iran are part of its effort to work with the international community to establish lasting peace and stability in Syria. Within this context, Türkiye’s priority has always been to protect Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity.

Ultimately, Türkiye will not tolerate any political engineering or ethnic separation attempt in the lands of Syria on no account. The presence of terrorist organisations swarming in Syrian territory threatens not only the border security of our country but also the stability of the region.

For this reason, Türkiye is determined to continue to take a firm stand in the fight against terrorism. Whether it be the US, Russia, or Iran, we are pursuing a solution-orientated policy based on justice and equity in cooperation with international actors.

For us, Syria is not just a neighbouring country but a geography where historical and humanitarian ties unite us. Türkiye, as the advocate of justice and protector of the oppressed, will persist in its endeavours for the peace and stability of the region.

Euronews: Türkiye’s mediation efforts were last seen in the Somalia and Ethiopia talks. Are these mediation efforts ongoing between Russia and Ukraine as well, and is it possible for the countries to come together in Istanbul?

Altun: Under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Türkiye is fulfilling its historical responsibility as a major actor in establishing peace and stability. It has effectively mediated a wide range of situations, including the most recent negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia and the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The diplomatic process established by Türkiye between Russia and Ukraine is a notable example. Istanbul was promoted as a peace platform during this process, and it was well-received internationally.

Certainly, it is conceivable that the countries will reunite in Istanbul. In this context, Türkiye, as a stabilising power, is ready to provide all types of assistance, including humanitarian aid and the opening of peace talks.

We believe that all sides must engage constructively and responsibly to prevent the crisis between Russia and Ukraine from escalating further. As Türkiye, we would make every effort to maintain not only regional peace but also global stability, which we are already doing.

Euronews: We know that Türkiye has not given up on its desire to join the EU. Do you expect any improvement on this issue by 2025?

Altun: Türkiye’s EU accession goal is an integral part of our strategic vision. This procedure is more than just a foreign policy decision; it demonstrates our dedication to democracy, as well as our efforts for development and global collaboration.

Türkiye has never given up on its membership aspirations. 2025 may present new opportunities in this area. However, it is important to note that the European Union’s approach is also a decisive factor in this process. As I have previously stated, for the EU to assume an effective position on the global stage, it must accept Türkiye as a member.

Türkiye has always maintained an attitude of readiness to strengthen cooperation with the EU. We fundamentally anticipate the elimination of double standards in the accession process as well as the establishment of a constructive dialogue.

It is our conviction that in the near future, there will be a pressing need for the EU to enhance its cooperative efforts with Türkiye, particularly in order to address joint solutions to both global and regional challenges.

Euronews: It has emerged that the attack in Magdeburg was perpetrated by an Islamophobe. How do you evaluate this with regards to the rising far-right in Europe?

Altun: First and foremost, I would like to express that I strongly condemn this attack. My sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims, as well as the German people and government.

The fact that the Magdeburg attack was carried out by an Islamophobe highlights the worrying magnitude of Europe’s increasing extreme right and Islamophobia. Not only do attacks of this nature profoundly undermine Muslim communities, but they also undermine Europe’s culture of social peace and coexistence.

In recent years, the perception of the far right as the “new normal” in Europe and the turning of anti-Islamic rhetoric into commonplace rhetoric have set the stage for the rise in hate crimes and a deepening of social polarisation.

Muslims in Europe are subjected to growing levels of social discrimination, mobbing in their professional lives, and physical assaults. However, this issue is more than just Islamophobia; it is a severe security and human rights concern that jeopardises Europe’s social harmony.

Such incidents demonstrate that systemic marginalisation and discrimination against Muslims not only harm this community but also undermine Europe’s fundamental principles of democracy, human rights, and social solidarity. Europe’s ideal of peace and coexistence can be preserved not by refraining from speaking out in the face of this challenge but by a determined will to address its root causes and find answers.

Therefore, we must adopt a firm stance and take concrete steps to combat Islamophobia. Legal regulations deterring hate crimes should be put in place, and education and policy measures to improve social tolerance and inclusion should be prioritised.

As all European countries, we must act with the realisation that our diversity is our richness and implement policies that promote social solidarity. Otherwise, maintaining peace and stability will be impossible.

Euronews: You just held the Stratcom Forum 24, which focused on “AI in Communication: Trends, Traps, and Transition”. How would you characterize Türkiye’s approach to artificial intelligence?

Altun: Türkiye has been striving to create a sustainable AI ecosystem that generates value on a global scale through its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Training AI specialists, increasing employment, encouraging research and innovation, expanding access to high-quality data and technical infrastructure, increasing the rate of socioeconomic cohesion, and fortifying international cooperation are just a few of the important objectives covering this strategy. Türkiye is pursuing these objectives with great effort.

It is also noteworthy that our AI strategy includes safeguarding social, cultural, and human values from the socioeconomic transformation brought about by this technology. Data privacy ranks high among the many issues we have emphasised throughout this process. We are developing our own cloud strategy to counter the harmful data policies of AI models. In this context, we have institutionalised the fight against disinformation as a policy area and will continue to work tirelessly to guarantee that accurate information and truth prevail.

As the Directorate of Communications, we stand against lies that mislead and manipulate the public, and we fight tirelessly to spread the truth and accurate information. Through these efforts, Türkiye hopes to secure not just the ethical use of digital technologies but also the safety and peace of mind of the general public.

Euronews: When we think of artificial intelligence, we typically envision opportunities; nevertheless, there are also threats. What is your approach at this point, and what kind of countermeasures may be implemented against these threats?

Altun: Artificial intelligence tools are increasingly transforming our society and all industries. Today, AI stands out as a paradigm-shifting force in strategic communication. Ideas that were once only envisaged in science fiction films are now readily available to everyone.

Still, this beneficial technological advancement has the potential to become a digital weapon if not used for the right purposes. The confinement of individuals to echo chambers in an algorithm-controlled world only fuels social polarisation, with lies replacing truth.

This circumstance serves as yet to highlight the importance of ethical principles in governing AI. This new development brings about both new opportunities and new risks. The security and stability of the world are threatened by the existence of those who would use these skills maliciously.

Even though AI and other communication technologies have produced a rich communication ecosystem that has opened up new opportunities, experiences, and trends in the production and consumption of communication, when this ecosystem begins to deviate from fundamental human values, it reveals the issues and challenges that malicious values, false information, and disinformation can cause in the global information environment. In such circumstances, young individuals are particularly susceptible to content that is shaped by AI and circulated on social media platforms.

With the world’s population ageing quickly, people of all ages are vulnerable to being manipulated by false information to which they are exposed through artificial intelligence.

Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness of digital threats and media literacy. The establishment of fundamental ethical principles to shield vulnerable groups from violence, harmful ideologies, and disinformation has become imperative, as has the creation of content that supports this process and new social media platforms.

One of the most pressing issues for communicators today is the devaluation of truth. Given AI’s capacity to make disinformation more widespread, it is clear that AI algorithms need to be humanised instead of trying to minimise human involvement in the media industry.

We should not allow AI to monopolise the public-facing communication sector. It is becoming more widely acknowledged how crucial international collaboration is to managing the profound transformation occurring in the digital sphere. Setting the boundaries for the development and operation of artificial intelligence within the parameters of an inclusive approach is essential.

It is necessary to adopt global measures to prevent the use of AI technologies in disinformation and manipulation attacks that are intended to interfere with or undermine the democratic processes and internal affairs of states.