You're listening to a podcast from the BBC World Service. This is Hard Talk with me, Zainab Badawi.

Thanks for downloading this edition of the program and I hope you enjoy it.

My guest in this exclusive interview is the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlu Chavushoglu.

Turkey has been condemned for its offensive in northern Syria, but it says it will press on with its

operations to flush out what it describes as Kurdish terrorists.

Hundreds of civilians and fighters have reportedly been killed, and there are accusations

of war crimes. Is Turkey creating further instability in the region?

Foreign Minister Mavut-Kavushoglu, welcome to Hard Talk.

Thank you.

President Erdogan says he will not listen to international criticisms about the Turkish military

operations inside northern Syria until victory is achieved.

What does victory look like to Turkey?

Well, PKKYPG is a terrorist organization, posing a threat to our national security.

Therefore, the aim of this operation to eliminate the terrorists at the other side of the border

or clean this area from the terrorists.

Also, our operation is aiming to enforce the territorial integrity of Syria, and this terrorist

organization is aiming to divide a country.

I mean, Syria, territory integrity is so important for our region, and we have very much committed that.

And we need to also liberate the local people from the oppression of this

Blood Terrorist Organization. And also we should lay the ground for the voluntary and

save return of the refugees or displaced people, not only refugees from Turkey, but IDPs within Syria,

and also refugees who had to flee to Iraq or other neighbouring countries.

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