Putin hails closer Moscow-Ankara on Syria crisis
Russian President Vladimir Putin has praised close interactions between Moscow and Ankara as part of efforts to find a promising solution to the nearly six-year-long foreign-sponsored militancy in Syria, which has killed thousands of people and left the Arab country in ruins.
“We are actively working to solve the most acute crises, first of all in Syria. I'm very pleased to note, and few seemed to expect it, that our military and special services have established such efficient and close contact,” Putin said as he welcomed Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the start of talks focusing on Syria in the Kremlin on Friday.
He highlighted that the military authorities and intelligence services of Russia and Turkey have “a very trustful and effective dialogue” on Syria.
“We are pleased to see our ties recovering at a quick tempo,” Putin pointed out.
Erdogan, for his part, noted that cooperation in the construction of Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline, which will run from Russia’s southern region of Krasnodar across the Black Sea to Turkish Thrace, and building of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey’s southern province of Mersin, has regained pace and is increasingly developing.Defense industry and energy are among the main areas of trade cooperation between Ankara and Moscow, the Turkish leader said.
The comments come as Turkey and Russia have been supporting opposing sides in the conflict in Syria. While Russia has stressed the need to support the legitimate Syrian government, Turkey has been offering support to the anti-Damascus militants.
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