Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the government of Turkey's current position in relation to the plans announced by the President of that country for a full-scale ground offensive against Kurdish militants in Syria.

The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in Syria and Iraq and is closely monitoring the situation. It is important that the risks to civilians and to the security and stability of the region are minimised. FCDO Ministers and senior officials engage with Turkey regularly on issues of regional security. The Foreign Secretary last met Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on 30 November.