Russia and Turkey have sought to develop a common vision for the future in Syria in terms of settling the situation in Idlib amid talks about an imminent military operation to implement the agreement to establish a demilitarized zone around the city.
Talks between Presidents of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Monday focused on this issue and others on Syria, including the situation in the north, the mechanisms of dealing with US moves and Ankara’s plans to move in the border area between Syria and Turkey.
Putin said the two leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation “in the spirit of advanced, multifaceted partnership.”
“I would like to note that Russia and Turkey, as guarantors of the Astana process,” continue to make vigorous efforts for the long-term normalization of the situation in Syria, added Putin.
“We are coordinating efforts to revitalize the Syrian political process, including with a view to forming a constitutional committee as soon as possible.”
Prior to his departure to Moscow, Erdogan announced he intends to discuss the possibility of a new Turkish military operation in Syria with his Russian counterpart.
"Our preparations at the border are completed. Everything is ready for the operation. We can start it at any moment. I will discuss this and other issues during the visit to Moscow,” he indicated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that the efforts to launch the Syrian constitutional committee are ongoing as Moscow is holding negotiations with officials from Syria, Iran and Turkey.
“There will be a meeting in the coming days,” he revealed.
He said that some agreements on the committee may be reached before the next round of Astana talks are held, adding that it was about time that the committee was finalized.
An informed source told Russia Novosti state news agency that the guarantors will send out invitations to attend the talks, set for April 25 and 26, the first after the name of the Kazakh capital was changed to Nur-Sultan.
Prior to that, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said that the next round of talks was planned at the level of deputy foreign ministers, while Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Mukhtar Telupid announced that the new UN special envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, might participate in the upcoming negotiations.
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