(MENAFN) Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday that Ankara shared its perspectives and policy positions on Syria during high-level discussions held in Washington, D.C.

"How can the problem areas, particularly in southern and northern Syria and other regions, be managed more effectively? How can work be done on the Caesar Act? We had the opportunity to examine these issues in detail and present our views and positions," he told Turkish media outlets in the U.S. capital.

Fidan explained that he was invited to meet with several senior American officials at the White House, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack.

"Of course, my presence at the White House today coincided with the visit of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa," he noted, adding that while al-Sharaa was meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, he was also invited to join them.

"We then had the opportunity to discuss Türkiye's general views on Syria, opportunities for cooperation with the US, and numerous issues related to Syria's development, unity, solidarity, peace and regional security," he added.

The gathering coincided with Sharaa’s historic visit — the first by a Syrian leader to the White House since Syria’s independence nearly 80 years ago.

Fidan said U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and other top officials also took part in the joint discussions. He later held separate meetings with Witkoff and Barrack to delve deeper into several topics, including the situation in Palestine.

He also stated that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine was on the agenda. "We had lengthy discussions on this matter. That is, what can be done at this critical juncture to end this war? What role can Türkiye play? How can we work with the US on this issue? Our president (Recep Tayyip Erdogan) has some views on this matter," he said.

According to Fidan, the two sides also exchanged perspectives “extensively” on the U.S. approach to the Iran nuclear negotiations. He later briefed President Erdogan on the outcomes of his meetings.

Turning to Syria, Fidan emphasized the importance of permanently lifting U.S. sanctions under the Caesar Civilian Protection Act to help revive the country’s economy.

"Because some limited exemptions were made using presidential powers, paving the way for certain economic activities, (but) the law needs to be completely repealed and re-passed by Congress to bring it to a point where presidential exemptions are no longer necessary.

"It was incredibly important that the administration shared the same view and made such a recommendation to Congress. Therefore, I believe both al-Sharaa's statements and our statements there are of paramount importance," he said.

Fidan also noted that his meetings addressed developments in Syria’s southern Suwayda province, coordinated by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the Damascus government, as well as the situation in areas controlled by the PKK/YPG, known as the SDF, in the northeast.

He warned that if these regions are not handled with care, Syria could face further territorial divisions.

"Actually, we're seeing a pattern like this: in the north, northeast and south. If the problems here aren't managed carefully, there's a possibility of a problem affecting the country's entire regional and territorial integrity. In other words, the country could face further fragmentation.

It's certainly important that the Americans understand this, and I see they do.

"In other words, it's paramount that the country be one and whole, but also that everyone has security of life and property, and that various ethnic and religious groups aren't under any pressure in this regard. Of course, there's a great effort to find this golden ratio. At the same time, they must not pose a threat to anyone. We've had serious conversations and exchanged views on this matter," he said.

On the Gaza conflict, Fidan said that the cease-fire process and discussions surrounding a draft resolution at the UN Security Council were “extraordinarily important.” He explained that some parties believe such a resolution is essential to implementing the later phases of the comprehensive peace plan announced by the U.S. administration.

Last week, the U.S. mission to the UN convened a meeting with Council members and regional actors — including Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and the UAE — to deliberate on a forthcoming resolution related to Gaza. The draft reportedly supports establishing a Board of Peace and authorizing an International Stabilization Force, two core components of Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan.

"As Türkiye, we see it as our number one priority to ensure that all stages of the peace plan are implemented in a way that benefits everyone, that the genocide is stopped, and that humanitarian aid begins," Fidan said.

He noted that deliberations on the text were ongoing and that Türkiye’s analysis of the proposed Security Council resolution continues.

"As you know, we hosted a meeting in Istanbul last week…What is needed regarding the current process? What should be the fundamental parameters of an international decision to be issued by the UN Security Council? Because so many different actors have different perspectives and priorities. So bringing these (in a draft) together can be a bit challenging.

What kind of text can be compatible with all of them? Of course, it's impossible to fully satisfy everyone," he said.

Fidan emphasized that Ankara remains engaged with its partners, stating: "We're closely following and working with our colleagues. We're speaking with our partners. In my meetings with various actors at the White House throughout the day today, we had the opportunity to express our views on the matter (draft resolution) at various levels."

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