President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Nasr Al-Hariri, and Secretary-General Abdelbaset Abdullatif visited the governor of Istanbul, Ali Yerlikaya to discuss the affairs of Syrian refugees as well as the difficulties and challenges they are facing in Turkey, especially in Istanbul province.
The two sides discussed ways to improve the reality of Syrian refugees in Turkey and address the legal issues they are facing. Al-Hariri stressed the need to regulate the presence of Syrian nationals in Turkey and give them facilitations to alleviate their suffering, especially with regards to official documents and passports.
The two sides also discussed the latest developments in Syria, especially the ongoing violations by the Assad regime and its supporters of the ceasefire agreement signed between Turkey and Russia last March. They also discussed the regime’s refusal to engage in the work of the Constitutional Committee or in a sustained political process that would lead to the full implementation of UN resolution 2254.
Al-Hariri gave on overview on the work of SOC as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people as he talked about the work of its departments, offices and committees. He also touched on the work of SOC’s representatives in various Arab and Western countries and the work of executive institutions in managing the liberated areas and their role in providing services to the civilian population.
Al-Hariri thanked the Turkish leadership and people for hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees Syria as well as for their efforts to support the Syrian revolution and the aspirations of the Syrian people.
Moreover, Al-Hariri pointed out that the Syrian National Army fought alongside the Turkish army against terrorist organizations in northern Syria. He said that the a few days ago marked the first anniversary of Operation Peace Spring, which culminated in a resounding victory over the terrorist organization the PKK and the PYD militia.
Al-Hariri stressed that the SOC considers that the terrorist organization PKK poses a serious threat to the unity of the Syrian people, the integrity of Syrian territory, and the security of neighboring countries, stressing the need to eliminate this organization and force it out of Syria. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)