Questioning Row Erupts at Foreign Ministry: Two Ministers Ignore Inquiries

A tense exchange occurred following a joint press conference between Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Syrian Foreign Minister Esad Hasan Şeybani in Ankara. The press encounter was marked by strict limitations on media access, with only one journalist, from TRT Haber, being granted permission to ask a question.

After Minister Fidan concluded his remarks and thanked the journalists, reporter Jasper Mortimer, unequipped with a microphone, directed a question towards Minister Şeybani. Mortimer sought to inquire whether Şeybani would meet with Syrian refugees in Turkey and address their concerns about returning to Syria.

Both Fidan and Şeybani appeared to ignore Mortimer's question, opting instead to shake hands and depart the room. This action immediately triggered a heated discussion between Mortimer and Turkish Foreign Ministry officials, highlighting the friction surrounding media access and the handling of sensitive topics during the diplomatic meeting.