High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for calm on Friday 28 February after the death of around thirty Turkish soldiers in a strike by Syrian government forces in the Idlib region.
“Ongoing escalation around needs to stop urgently. There is a risk of sliding into a major open international military confrontation”, the High Representative warned on his Twitter account. According to him, the EU will consider “all necessary measures to protect its security interests”. “We are in contact with all relevant stakeholders”, Borrell added. He met with the Turkish and Russian Foreign Ministers on Friday afternoon.
NATO solidarity with Turkey
Following an urgent meeting of the Council of the Alliance convened at Turkey's request, Jens Stoltenberg stressed the “full support” of the Allies for Turkey, both politically and practically.
“The Allies condemn the ongoing indiscriminate air strikes by the Syrian regime and Russia in the Idlib province”, the Secretary General told the media after the EU Council, calling on Russia and Syria to end their offensive, to respect international law, and to support UN efforts for a peaceful solution.
“This dangerous situation must be defused and we urge an immediate return to the 2018 ceasefire”, the Secretary-General added.
Going beyond political support, the Alliance is also providing practical support to Turkey, including increasing its air defences and using AWACS aircraft to help patrol. While Mr Stoltenberg said that the Allies were constantly examining what more they could do to provide additional support to Turkey, he made no specific announcements.
In a telephone conversation on Friday, 28 February, the Russian and Turkish presidents agreed on the importance of “improving the effectiveness of coordination” between their defence ministries and the need for additional measures to normalise the situation in north-west Syria.
Furthermore, Mr Borrell, like Mr Stoltenberg, expressed his concern about the humanitarian situation in Idlib. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)