Putin: We support the establishment of dialogue between the Syrian government and the Kurds and the withdrawal of US forces from Syria would be a positive step.. Erdogan: No problems with Russia on the safe area north of Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country is in agreement with Turkey on combating all terrorist organizations in Syria.

This came at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after a meeting between them, in the framework of an official visit conducted by the latter to Moscow on Wednesday.

Putin stressed the need to reach a lasting solution to the crisis, through political and diplomatic methods; and to continue cooperation between his country and Turkey and Iran in Syria, “even after the end of the conflict”.

The Russian president stressed that his country and Turkey agree on the principle of territorial integrity of Syria, and to intensify efforts between them in the file of the return of refugees.

He noted that in intensive contact with Erdogan, stressing that “today’s meeting was very constructive, amid an atmosphere based on bilateral relations”.

He added that the three countries are seeking to hold a summit in this framework in Moscow, while President Erdogan pointed to the possibility of holding in February next.

On the Sochi cease-fire agreement in Idlib, northern Syria, Putin said he had discussed with his Turkish counterpart ways to stabilize the province.

He said that his country “sees Turkey’s efforts to implement the terms of the agreement”, signed between the two leaders on 17 September 2018.

On the decision to withdraw from Syria, Putin said, “If the United States implemented its withdrawal plan from Syria, it will be positive”.

He stressed that US soldiers were present in Syria “illegally and disproportionately to international laws”.

On the other hand, Putin said: “We encourage Damascus to dialogue with the Kurds, and this will achieve unity between the Syrians, and will be in favor of neighboring countries”.

On the safe area north of Syria, the Russian president stressed “respect for the interests of our Turkish friends, especially with regard to security”.

Putin said the security pact signed between Syria and Turkey in 1998, expected to remove many obstacles related to Turkey’s security on its southern border.

On the formation of the Constitutional Committee, he said that it will enhance the success of the peace efforts, stressing that “the solution of all problems can be solved only through political and diplomatic methods”.

“There should be a dialogue between all the parties to the conflict”, he said.

“All parties involved in the future of Syria must participate in this”.

For his part, the Turkish president said at the press conference that there are no differences between his country and Russia over the safe area in northern Syria.

Erdogan said that Moscow will host a Russian-Iranian summit on Syria in February, stressing the continuation of holding meetings at various levels on the safe area, stressing its sensitivity in view of the threats it poses against his country.

On the decision of US President Donald Trump to withdraw from Syria, Erdogan stressed that the move should not take a vacuum used by terrorist organizations.

“The United States has already informed us of its positive position on measures in areas that pose a threat.

As you know, it was an area that extends to a depth of 30-32 kilometers, and there are no disagreements with Russia”.

He added that he discussed with Putin developments in the field, especially in the province of Idlib (north-west), stressing the existence of close cooperation between the two countries in this context, and the intention to strengthen it.

Erdogan also stressed the need to coordinate against attempts to breach the Sochi agreement on reducing tension in Idlib, reached by the two leaders on 17 September 2018.

He continued: “We should jointly fight terrorist organizations that seek to undermine Turkish-Russian cooperation”, stressing the continuation of the joint struggle against terrorist organizations in Idlib.

He stressed that the fight against these organizations, particularly the preacher and the “BID / YBK”, and the elimination of them; is the main objective of his country.

He stressed that cooperation between Ankara and Moscow is the cornerstone of achieving peace, security and stability in Syria.

He added that the talks also included the return of refugees and the outcome of the Quartet summit in Istanbul (gathered leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France in October 2018).

He pointed out that his country hosts about 4 million Syrian refugees, and that 300 thousand returned to areas liberated from terrorists through the Euphrates shield and the olive branch.

“Our Syrian brothers live in 4,000 square kilometers, from Afrin to Jarbals, away from terrorism; they continue their normal lives in an atmosphere of security and stability”.

“This model, which opened the way for the return process, should also be applied to East Euphrates”, he said.

He also pointed to the need to reach the march of forming the Constitutional Committee in Syria to safety as soon as possible, and that his country is intensifying efforts in this regard.

On the other hand, the Turkish President said that he discussed with his Russian counterpart the cancellation of visas between the two countries.

In the same framework, he praised the bilateral relations in the fields of economy, trade, industry, energy, tourism and culture.

Erdogan offered condolences to the victims of the collision of two ships in the Kerch Strait, Monday; which killed 16 people, including four Turks; and wished speedy recovery of the injured.

He thanked Putin and Russian officials who oversaw the search and rescue operations in harsh weather conditions.

The two fires broke out in two Tanzania-flagged vessels, with Turkish and Indian nationals, following an explosion in one of them while transporting fuel to another, killing 16 people and rescuing others.

As the Turkish Foreign Minister Mouloud Ghawishoglu said that Ankara and Moscow’s positions coincided with the Syrian settlement, with the exception of one point, and revealed that Turkey had made contact with the Damascus government.

In a press statement on Thursday, Ghawishoglu said that Turkey and Russia have agreed on a political settlement in Syria with the exception of whether President Bashar Al Assad remains in power.

Ankara has been in indirect contact with the Syrian government, Details.

“Turkey is capable of establishing a safe area in the north of Syria alone, but it does not rule out cooperation in this regard with the United States, Russia and any other party that wants to”, he said.

The Turkish foreign minister said there was nothing certain about the establishment of the safe area, adding that the positions of Ankara and Washington on the issue correspond, with the exception of some points.

He said that Turkey and the United States have begun to discuss the issue of the party that will manage the Syrian border town of Manbij with Turkey after the withdrawal of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units.

The US special envoy to the Syrian file, James Jeffrey, will arrive in Ankara today for talks with Turkish officials, the minister said.

The remarks came a day after the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Moscow, where the Syrian file issues the agenda of negotiations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.