Turkey – Terrorist fighters - Q&A - From the press briefing (12 November 2019)

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Q: Have the Turkish authorities informed you of their intention to expel 11 French nationals suspected of being jihadists? Under the Cazeneuve protocol, is Paris required to take them back, even if they were arrested in Syria?

A: In the fight against Daesh that has been under way for several years, France and Turkey have taken care to coordinate closely in cases when French nationals connected with Daesh are found on Turkish territory, under the control of Turkish authorities. This coordination is still in effect. I refer you on this point to the Interior Ministry.

France wishes to continue its close dialogue with Turkey on the situation in northeastern Syria and in the context of the fight against Daesh. Let me remind you that President Macron expressed his willingness in this regard to have a meeting with the heads of state of Germany, the United Kingdom, and Turkey.

The question of Daesh fighters is a key security issue for both France and Turkey. It will be on the agenda of the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh to be held in Washington on November 14.