Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Wednesday 21st February 2018 Ministerial Corrections

Turkey (Afrin)

The following is an extract from Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on Tuesday 20 February 2018.

[Grahame Morris]

Does the Foreign Secretary recognise that the Kurdish-led Administration in Afrin has built a secular, democratic system that has worked collaboratively with the international community to defeat Daesh, most recently in Raqqa? Does he accept that the international community owes a debt of honour to the Kurds? Will he step up efforts to stop the bloodshed in and around Afrin?

[Sir Alan Duncan]

I understand what the hon. Gentleman is saying, but we must also recognise the legitimate security interests of Syria. They consider that, having launched Operation Olive Branch in January, it is in response to attacks from the Afrin area, and they believe that they are in compliance with proper UN standards.

[Official Report, 20 February 2018, Vol. 636, c. 2.]

Letter of correction from Sir Alan Duncan.

An error has been identified in my answer to the hon. Member for Easington (Grahame Morris).

The correct response should have been:

[Sir Alan Duncan]

I understand what the hon. Gentleman is saying, but we must also recognise Turkey’s legitimate security interests in Syria. They consider that, having launched Operation Olive Branch in January, it is in response to attacks from the Afrin area, and they believe that they are in compliance with proper UN standards.