Feridun Sinirlio

A former U.S. ambassador to Turkey has made clear the U.S. would treat Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD) the same as it does the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in case of a threat to Turkey, while speaking to daily Hürriyet.

It was Oct. 15, three days before her visit to Turkey on Oct. 18, when German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would tell Turkish leaders not to tie the measures needed to be taken to stop the Syrian refugee influx to the country?s future membership in the European Union.

Turkey and European Union have agreed to a "draft" agreement on migrants which will be implemented only after Ankara's political demands are met by Brussels, Turkish officials said.  

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlio?lu said on Oct. 16 an action plan being worked out with the European Union on migrants was still a draft and had not taken final shape, but Ankara has told its partners the focus on security measures was wrong.

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlio?lu has discredited any argument suggesting war-torn Syria could regain stability under Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying anyone defending such an argument was ?in a dream,? while also asserting that Russia has made ?a big mistake? in regards to its Syria policy.

In strongly-worded remarks, Turkey's Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlio?lu has recommended Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD) watch their step, making clear that any move aimed at Turkey would not remain unreciprocated.

Turkey will not hand over 66,000 babies born in refugee camps to tyrants, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu has said at the Global Forum on Migration and Development, referring to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. 

US President Barack Obama offered his condolences Oct. 10 to Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an after terror attacks at a peace rally there killed at least 95 people and wounded more than 200.

Russia is Turkey?s northern neighbor and a serious military confrontation between the two has recently broken out on Turkey?s southern border with Syria. 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia on Oct. 5 to avoid escalating tensions with the transatlantic alliance through "unacceptable" violations of Turkish airspace, while the U.S. also voiced its concern.

Stoltenberg convened an emergency meeting of NATO member countries after Turkey said its jets intercepted a Russian fighter plane near the Syrian border.