On 28 February 2020, IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu issued a press statement following the recent developments in Idlib, the EU's decision to impose sanctions on Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) officials and the step towards allowing refugees to pass into Europe. Calling on NATO and EU officials, IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu underlined that NATO and the EU should be involved in taking control of the situation in Idlib and resolving the humanitarian crisis. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu continued his words as follows:

“Yesterday, we were deeply wounded as 33 of our soldiers were martyred in Idlib. It is unacceptable that Turkey while fighting against the Assad regime in Syria has been left alone by NATO of which it is an ally and the EU to which it is a candidate for membership. We expect NATO and the EU to take action on this matter. Solely calling for a ceasefire is not enough. According to the Berlin Plus agreement dated 2002 between NATO and the EU, the EU and NATO could work together and the EU could make use of NATO’s military capabilities in operations aimed at preventing and resolving crises in close geographies. It is high time that NATO and the EU got involved in the situation in Idlib this way.”

IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu also touched upon the refugee crisis. Stating that asylum seekers fleeing Idlib came to the border with Turkey, Chairman Zeytinoğlu underscored the need for international cooperation in ensuring the safety of these people. Zeytinoğlu completed his words as follows:

“An important dimension of the crisis is the great humanitarian tragedy suffered by civilians. Close to 1 million people are headed from Idlib to the border with Turkey. The entire burden in ensuring the safety of these people should not fall on Turkey. The EU needs to act urgently. The government’s decision to allow the free passage of refugees to Europe is a result of the EU’s inaction to respond to Turkey’s calls. While these events were taking place, the decision to put two TPAO officials on the EU’s sanctions list consisting of an asset freeze and a travel ban to the EU following the Foreign Affairs Council’s decision dated November 2019 has added insult to injury. This decision, which was taken with extremely wrong timing, reveals that the EU is far from understanding the issue with all dimensions and it is trying to run away from responsibility. We invite the EU to common sense and cooperation.”