Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın and Martin Griffiths, U.N. under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, discussed on Wednesday the situation in Syria and Afghanistan in the Turkish capital Ankara, as Turkey stressed that it cannot handle a new wave of migration.
In a meeting at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara, Kalın and Griffiths discussed the humanitarian situation and aid issues in Syria and Afghanistan.
During the meeting, Turkey stressed that reaching a political solution is essential for ending the current humanitarian crisis in Syria, expressing satisfaction over the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2585, which ensures the continuation of cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria.
Both underlined that the only way to truly resolve the humanitarian crisis in Syria is to find a political solution.
The importance of ensuring stability and peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan was highlighted, along with an emphasis that Turkey cannot handle a new wave of migration.
It was also emphasized that the international community should take responsibility urgently and decisively.
The sides agreed that Turkey and the U.N. should maintain close coordination to prevent humanitarian crises.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of war-torn Afghanistan, European countries, as well as Turkey, have tightened measures against a new influx of irregular migrants. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently warned that "Turkey has no duty, responsibility or obligation to be Europe’s refugee warehouse."
Erdoğan also highlighted the importance of international cooperation to prevent a new migration wave from Afghanistan as he discussed the latest developments in Afghanistan, including the migrant crisis, with several world leaders. Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum-seekers attempting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
Ankara has made it clear that it will not bear the burden of migration crises experienced as a result of the decisions of third countries.
Turkey hosts more refugees than any country in the world. After the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, Turkey adopted an "open-door policy" for people fleeing the conflict, granting them "temporary protection" status.
Afghans are believed to be the second-largest refugee community in Turkey after Syrians. Many of the migrants arriving via Iran are heading for Istanbul to find work or passage to another coastal city from which to embark for Europe.
Turkish security forces continue to patrol 24/7 to prevent a new influx of illegal Afghan migrants after the Taliban’s takeover of the country. Turkey’s eastern border with Iran is protected by the tightened measures, including a modular wall, observation posts and trenches, which are all are supported by the latest technology. Nearly total mobilization on the Iranian border has been initiated to prevent illegal crossings.
Kalın and Griffiths also voiced that stability and a peaceful transition are necessary to prevent the situation in Afghanistan from deteriorating.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Önal also met with Griffiths in Ankara.
On Twitter, it said that the "satisfaction with the close and developing cooperation between Turkey and #OCHA has been confirmed" during their meeting.
"Turkey's efforts for the alleviation of humanitarian needs of Syrians were discussed and Turkey and U.N's joint work in this regard was reviewed. The importance of improving the humanitarian situation in Yemen and Afghanistan was also stressed," it added.