Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - Vladimir Putin meeting in Russia
Turkey and Russia on Monday agreed to turn Syria's northwestern Idlib province into a demilitarized zone.
"We have agreed on the establishment of a weapons-free zone between the opposition- and [Assad] regime-controlled areas," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a news conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the Black Sea coastal city of Sochi, following a meeting between the two leaders.
Following the news conference, Ankara and Moscow signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the stabilization of the situation in Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are prohibited.
"I believe that with this memorandum, we have prevented a great humanitarian crisis in Idlib," Erdoğan said.
Putin said the demilitarized zone will extend between 15 to 20 kilometers (9-12 miles) deep into Idlib by Oct. 15.
He added that the establishment of the zone would be accompanied by the withdrawal of armed groups, including the al-Nusra Front.
Putin said all heavy weapons had to be withdrawn from the zone by Oct. 10, according to Erdoğan’s proposal. This includes tanks, rocket launchers, guns and mortars of all opposition groups.
Iran welcomes an agreement between Turkey and Russia over Idlib province in northwestern Syria and was consulted before it was announced, Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV station reported on Tuesday, citing Iran's foreign ministry spokesman.Under the agreement announced on Monday after a meeting between the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Russian and Turkish troops are to enforce a new demilitarised zone in the Idlib region.Iran has fought as an ally of President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian conflict alongside Russian forces.
Iran welcomes Turkey-Russia deal over Idlib
Joint patrols
He also said Russia and Turkey would restore transit routes between Syria's Aleppo, Latakia, Hama by the end of 2018.
Erdoğan said Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols along the zone's perimeter.
He added Turkey would strengthen observation points in the Idlib de-escalation zone.
"The opposition will remain in areas in which they are already present. We will ensure that radical groups will not operate in the area," Erdoğan said.
He said Russia will take necessary measures to protect the de-escalation zone in Idlib.
"We will jointly ensure the detection and prevention of both third parties' provocations and violations against this agreed memorandum," Erdoğan added.
Putin said: "Russia and Turkey reaffirmed their determination to fight terrorism in Syria in all its forms. [...] The practical implementation of the planned steps will give an additional impetus to the process of a political settlement of the Syrian conflict, will accelerate work on the Geneva platform and will contribute to the return of peace to the Syrian land."
The Russian president said that this approach was supported by the Syrian side. He said consultations with Damascus could be held in the near future.
Erdoğan also said "terror nests" east of the Euphrates river posed the "biggest" threat for Syria's future.
"The main structure that attempts against Syria's territorial integrity and threatens Turkey's national security is PYD/YPG," Erdoğan said, adding these "terror swamps" should be drained.
Bilateral relations
Erdogan said the trade volume between Russia and Turkey increased 33 percent in the first of half of 2018 and reached around $15 billion.
He added 6 million Russian tourists will have visited Turkey by the end of this year.
Erdogan also said Ankara expected Moscow to launch the visa-free regime once again.
"Our ministries are working in this regard and we expect to get immediate results about this," he added.
Putin said Russia and Turkey should trade in local currencies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a meeting at the Russian leader’s presidential residence on Monday in the coastal city of Sochi.Russian President Putin said that he has a lot to discuss with Turkey's Erdoğan, including complicated matters to review and solve.Erdoğan said on Monday that a joint statement due to be made after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the crisis in Syria would bring "new hope" to the region."Exchanging views on political, military, economic issues will strengthen Turkey and Russia", Erdoğan added.Putin in his turn said that "In terms of trade, it's growing intensely. Our relations are also improving in terms of regional security,".Relations between Turkey and Russia, economy and energy issues, as well as regional and international issues, particularly Syria, were among the topics expected to be discussed.Video: Turkey, Russia cooperation to be ‘hope’ for regionErdoğan is accompanied by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Energy and Natural Sources Minister Fatih Dönmez, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, head of National Intelligence Service (MIT) Hakan Fidan, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalın and Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun.Among the Russian delegation are Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak, Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.The bilateral meeting, which was closed to the media, started at 2.50 pm local time (1150GMT).Relations between Turkey and Russia, economy and energy issues, as well as regional and international issues, particularly Syria, were among the topics expected to be discussed.
Turkey, Russia cooperation to be ‘hope’ for region
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at Bocharov Ruchei residence.
Turkish president Erdoğan meets his Russian counterpart in Sochi