We support solution ensuring Syria’s integrity: CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu

ISTANBUL

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said his party supports a solution that ensures the territorial integrity of Syria, after a key meeting between the leaders of Iran, Turkey and Russia was held in Russia’s Sochi aiming to find a solution in Syria.

“They [ruling Justice and Development Party – AKP] want to solve Syria’s problem. If it gets solved, we will be very happy. We defend the territorial integrities of Syria and Iraq. We want Turkey to live in peace with its neighbors. For that, we are ready to give any kind of support that we can,” Kılıçdaroğlu said on Nov. 23 in Istanbul.

His comments came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Nov. 22 to discuss the political future of Syria.

The CHP leader said his party had proposed to hold an international meeting for Syria in 2013, but could not get a positive response from the AKP.

“In 2013, we wanted an international conference on Syria to be held in Turkey. We told them to invite Russia, the U.S., the EU, the Arab League and the parties in Syria. We urged Turkey to find a solution to the problem. But they rejected it,” he said, adding that they are pleased their initial request has been realized.

‘Zarrab case not national issue’

Asked about the U.S. case against Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, Kılıçdaroğlu said it would not be ethical to comment “before the details of the case are revealed.”

The AKP regards the case a “political plot” against them and the Turkish state, Kılıçdaroğlu said, “but still, there is a case here.”

“A man who gives bribes, is involved in corruption and tries all methods in order not to pay tax is being tried. So, it is not right to make this a national issue. No country in the world regards corruption and theft a national issue,” he said.