Ankara wants to cooperate with Washington on Syria
By Kamila Aliyeva
Ankara wants to cooperate with the United States in Syria on the condition that Washington ends its support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
Senior Adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Ilnur Cevik said that U.S. President Donald Trump could become a vital partner to the Russian and Turkish leaders on Syria if he recognizes the importance of Moscow-Ankara contacts, Sputnik reported.
"Russia and Turkey currently play a very constructive role in the international arena. If Trump is really a wise politician and leader, he would see the closeness of the relationship between [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, and would serve as a third force to strengthen this dialogue," Ilnur Cevik said at a conference on Russian-Turkish ties.
Armed conflict continues in Syria since March 2011. Government troops are confronted by militants of different armed rebel groups. The UN has repeatedly tried and failed to end the Syrian conflict, which has killed 300,000 and displaced 11 million since it began five years ago.
Cevik further expressed hope for a constructive cooperation on the Syrian settlement between Russia, Turkey and the United States.
"If Trump joins the position of Turkey and Russia on the Syrian settlement, I think all countries will benefit from that. We hope [Washington] will make the right decision," Cevik said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier said that Moscow was ready to consider Washington's initiatives on the cooperation on Syria.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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