UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric
The meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Syria was "very important", a UN official said on Monday.
UN Secretary-General spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the talk would have a "positive" impact on civilians in Syria's northwestern Idlib province since they are at "great risk".
His remarks came after Turkey and Russia on Monday agreed to turn Idlib into a demilitarized zone.
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.
Senior Advisor to UN Special Envoy for Syria Jan Egeland on Monday urged the Syrian government and armed opposition to respect the deal and not provoke bloodshed and allow humanitarian access.
"Hope at long last for 3 million Syrian civilians in Idleb: Russia and Turkey agree on plan that may avert horrific war among displaced people," Egeland wrote on Twitter.
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