Turkish and Russian officials will meet in Ankara this week for a new round of talks on developments in Syria and Libya, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“Consultations between Turkish and Russian interagency delegations on Libya and Syria will continue at a technical level on 15-16 September 2020 in Ankara,” the ministry said.
Turkey has helped the Government of National Accord (GNA) repel an offensive by the east-based Libyan National Army. Last month, the GNA declared a ceasefire in Libya and called for a lifting of a blockade on oil facilities. Aguila Saleh, the leader of the east-based parliament, also called for a halt to hostilities.
Ankara and Moscow back opposing sides in Syria. Russia, along with Iran, supports president Bashar Assad’s forces and Turkey backs opposition factions looking to oust him.
After an escalation of violence displaced nearly 1 million people and brought the two sides close to confrontation, Turkey and Russia agreed in March to halt hostilities. Both sides have said the ceasefire has held despite minor violations.
The last round of talks was held in Moscow on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.
