AANES seeks to consolidate its relationship with Arab states officially

The representative of the Autonomous Administration of North and East, AANES Syria in Europe, Abdel Karim Omar, talked to ANHA’s agency that developments in the region had contributed to the development of diplomatic relations with various world and European powers such as Canada, Australia, America, Russia and many other countries, and said, "Following this, many diplomatic delegations visited North and East Syria."

AANES sought to expand diplomatic outreach to civil society institutions, international rights organizations, relief and humanitarian organizations, as well as to European Union and United Nations institutions. Omar emphasized that the diplomatic achievements of the AANES have so far been acceptable.

On AANES relations with Middle Eastern countries, Omar explained that " AANES has not yet been able to formally develop its relationship with the countries of the Middle East and the Arab states" He added: "Some shortcomings have arisen in our diplomatic work. To date, we have not been able to develop our diplomatic relationship, whether formally or socially, with the Middle East and with the Arab states.

"One of the priorities of our diplomatic work at the current and forthcoming stages is the formal and societal development of diplomatic relations with the Arab states."

Over the past years, several delegations have visited North and East Syria, some formally represented by foreign and parliamentary ministries, others by civil society institutions, international rights organizations and international media delegations. Omar said: "We are in AANES encouraging these visits, so that these delegations will learn about the reality and legitimacy of AANES and developments on the ground, the challenges they face in terms of political, economic, social, service and security, the threat of ISIS mercenaries, and Turkish threats."

Omar explained that some delegations were visiting camps in AANES’ areas, while others were taking back a number of its citizens who had joined ISIS mercenaries, especially women and children of ISIS.

Omar, referring to the importance of visiting external delegations to AANES’ areas, said that "these visits are of great importance, as delegations learn about the democratic project of AANES, the co-existence of components with each other and the role that was played by women in political, security, social, service and military in AANES.”

Omar referred to their work abroad, namely, having been assigned to diplomatic work as a representative of AANES in Europe, and said: "After my assignment, we conducted numerous visits to European countries, met with foreign ministries in these countries, met with civil society institutions, the Kurdish community abroad and organized a series of workshops; The discussions focused on developments in North and East Syria, challenges to AANES, political, security and economic, the challenge of terrorism, Turkish threats and their impact on the stability of the region, and the political solution of the Syrian dilemma. "

Importance of public opinion diplomacy and community diplomacy

The diplomatic efforts of the AANES focus on the development of relations with non-governmental communities and institutions as well as on the development of relations with official institutions, Omar said, "Diplomacy of public and community opinion is strategic diplomacy for us; Because public opinion, societies and trade unions are our true allies, and they support AANES, States always move according to their own agendas, and we have experiences in this regard; For example, Russia agreed with Turkey on a swap deal whereby Afrin was occupied early in 2018, and the former US President allowed Turkey to occupy Serêkaniyê/ Ras al-Ain and Girê Spî/ Tal Abyed, in October 2019, countries always agree and make deals at the expense of the people according to their own interests and agendas. "

Omar asserted that they have experience in public and community opinion diplomacy which is fruitful "When the former US President allowed Turkey to launch attacks on North and East Syria, the resolution was opposed by public opinion, parliamentarians, members of Congress and the media, and under public pressure, if it was at home or abroad, Trump had to reconsider his decision. Also when ISIS mercenaries launched attacks against Kobani, some of our friends declared a world day of solidarity with Kobani's resistance. We have seen that all societies in the world have taken to the streets and expressed their solidarity with the Kobani resistance ".

Omar considered that public opinion diplomacy and community diplomacy were very important, fundamental and strategic for AANES: "Official diplomacy with States and with official institutions is important, and must also be relied upon."

Diplomatic Development

Since its first building block, on 21 January 2014, the AANES has begun meetings with many countries, particularly the European ones, but these endeavours have not been as successful as required, and the AANES has expanded through its struggle and resistance to the development of relations with most European countries, Omar touched on that period "at those meetings. (i.e., after the establishment of AANES in 2014) we met with third or fourth class diplomats, and meetings take place outside foreign ministries, i.e. in some Cafes or hotels; Now, after developments on the ground, regional and international developments, and after the eradication of ISIS geographically; Most European countries have begun to deal with AANES on an official basis, and meetings are held within Foreign Ministers, at high levels as Ministers and Deputies of Foreign Affairs, and with international envoys of the Syrian file. Most of these countries now deal with our representative on an official basis. "

Abdel Karim Omar noted that most civil society institutions and international rights organizations are conducting visits to North and East Syria, and said, "We have meetings with European Union institutions and United Nations institutions, and the fact that there is acceptance of, and official handling of, autonomy."

"The recognition of AANES in accordance with international law is linked to developments in Syria regarding the political solution and the future of Syria, when we Syrians agree on a new regime in Syria, and the acceptance of AANES within the new Syrian Constitution will then be recognized in accordance with international law."

T/ Satt.

ANHA