“Turkey’s position on the PKK/PYD/YPG, which seeks to legitimize itself as the SDF, is perfectly clear. We reject any efforts to promote ‘dialogue,’ ‘contact’ or ‘mediation’ between Turkey and those terrorist organizations,” Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said through his Twitter account early on March 30.

Turkey has been fighting against the PYD and its armed wing, the YPG, in the northwestern Syria enclave of Afrin.

According to Hurriyet daily Kalin’s statement followed a meeting between Macron and a Syrian Kurdish delegation allegedly representing the SDF at the Elysee on March 29.

A statement issued by the Elysee after the talks underlined the continued support of the French government to the Syrian Kurdish groups that have been fighting against the Islamic State (IS). It also suggested Paris’ intention to create an environment of dialogue between the Turkish government and the SDF.

“Instead of taking steps, which could be construed as legitimizing terrorist organizations, the countries we consider friends and allies must take a clear stand against all forms of terrorism. The various names and disguises cannot hide the true identity of the terrorist organization,” Kalin replied to the Elysée.

In the meantime, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu spoke with his French counterpart Jean Yves Le Drian over the phone following Macron’s meeting with the representatives of the Syrian Kurdish groups.

France has been gradually augmenting its opposition against the Turkish military’s operation into Afrin with calls on Ankara to limit its scope and duration.

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