Russia, Turkey agree to continue close cooperation to eradicate terrorists from Syria
On Saturday, Foreign and Defence ministers and top officials of Russia and Turkey had a high-level meeting in Moscow to discuss the situation in Syria. Leaders of both countries discussed ways for close cooperation in counter terror operations in Syria after withdrawal of US troops from the country.
Leaders of Russia and Turkey pledged for final eradication of terrorists from Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey would continue close cooperation with Russia and Iran in Syria.
As reported by Turkish official Anadolu News Agency, Cavusoglu said, “We will continue close cooperation with Russia and Iran on Syria and regional issues”. He said, “We’ve made important progress in many fields on the political process”.
#Turkey, #Russia agree to ‘coordinate’ anti-terror #Syria operations https://t.co/jOYZ7DX9Sl pic.twitter.com/HsnijNOmdq
— Press TV (@PressTV) December 30, 2018
Cavusoglu confirmed about Turkey’s “readiness and determination to continue the fight in order to liberate Syria from this scourge”.
Turkey and Russia stressed for the territorial integrity and unity of Syria in the fight against terrorism. Turkish FM said, “As the guarantors of the Astana process, we are certainly committed to the territorial integrity and unity of Syria and are ready to deter any actions aimed at undermining these principles”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the meeting very useful and said that special attention was paid, by both sides, to the circumstances created by US’ announcement of troops withdrawal from Syria.
Lavrov said, “An understanding was reached over how the military representatives of Russia and Turkey on the ground will continue to coordinate their steps under the new conditions with an aim toward the final eradication of the terrorist threat in Syria”.
Lavrov emphasized on the formation of constitutional committee of Syria and said that Russia will continue to promote the beginning of work of committee in cooperation with Turkey and Iran.
He said, “It was stated that Russia and Turkey, in cooperation with our Iranian colleagues, have done everything we promised to do on the formation of the constitutional committee, which should start working in Geneva”.
He added, “We will continue to actively promote the beginning of the work of this constitutional committee, now with the new UN Special Envoy for Syria Mr. [Geir] Pedersen”.
The meeting came a few days after US president Donald Trump announced his decision for quick withdrawal of US troops from war torn Syria.
