NEWS CENTER - A delegation from the European Parliament's Left Group met with Ilham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Autonomous Administration's Foreign Affairs Department, during their visit to North and East Syria.

 

On the last day of their visit to North and East Syria, the European delegation led by Martin Schirdewan, Co-Chair of the European Parliament's Left Group, met with Ilham Ehmed, Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Department of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, and visited Roj Camp, where families of ISIS members are held.

 

During the ongoing visit, which is aimed at observing firsthand how to provide further support for the struggle for freedom and democracy in the region at the European level, the delegation had the opportunity to see the conditions on the ground and hold extensive talks with local officials.

 

Schirdewan is accompanied by Philip Degenhardt, Head of the International Department and Deputy Director General of the Rosa Luxemburg Center, Fayik Yagizay, representative of the DEM Party to European institutions, Nora Friese-Wendenburg, Schirdewan's assistant, and Sarah Glynn, Yagizay's assistant.

 

CONTACT WITH TURKEY AT VARIOUS LEVELS

 

During the meeting with Schirdewan, the geopolitical situation facing the Autonomous Administration was discussed. Ilham Ehmed stated that since the start of peace talks with the PKK, the Autonomous Administration has been in direct contact with Turkey at various levels. She said that a third party mediator is needed for these talks to be successful.

 

The European Parliament's Left Group emphasized its desire to provide practical support for Autonomous Administration at the European level. Among the areas of support discussed were the need to exert international pressure on the new Syrian government to implement its promises regarding democracy and equal rights and to engage in a negotiation process with the Autonomous Administration, as well as to contribute to the Turkey-PKK process in order to overcome the Turkish government's reservations.

 

VISIT TO ROJ CAMP

 

Following the meeting, the delegation visited Roj Camp, which houses 2,323 families of ISIS members. The majority of the camp's residents are the wives and children of foreign mercenaries. Due to security concerns and time constraints, the visit was limited to a tour of the camp's outer perimeter. However, the delegation had the opportunity to observe the general conditions of the camp and meet with camp management and officials responsible for the Roj and Hol camps.