Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said today, Wednesday, that it is possible to conduct joint patrols between his country's forces and Russia in northern Syria, expressing - at the same time - his hope that the tripartite talks between Ankara, Moscow and Damascus will continue "in a reasonable, logical and successful manner."
Akar stressed - in statements prior to his participation in the meeting of the parliamentary bloc of the ruling Justice and Development Party - at the parliament headquarters in the capital, Ankara, Turkey's respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of neighboring countries, primarily Syria and Iraq.
With regard to the tripartite meeting - which was hosted by Moscow last Wednesday and included Akar, the Turkish intelligence chief, and their counterparts in Russia and the Syrian regime - the Turkish minister stressed that his country is not taking steps that would harm "our Syrian brothers."
He called for avoiding positions based on incitement and news that do not reflect the truth in this regard.
In a related context, he said that the tripartite meetings, such as those that took place in Moscow, will continue in the next stage, indicating that there is consensus among the parties in this regard.
He added that Turkey could "run joint patrols with the Russians in northern Syria."
Akar expressed his hope that the tripartite talks between Ankara, Moscow and Damascus would continue in a "reasonable, logical and successful manner."
The minister renewed Ankara's support for UN Resolution 2254, and its demand for its implementation to ensure the "voluntary, safe and respectful return" of Syrian refugees.
On December 18, 2015, the Security Council adopted Resolution No. 2254, which provides for an immediate ceasefire in all parts of Syria, the start of political negotiations and the formation of a "unity government" within two years, followed by elections.
And the Russian capital hosted - last Wednesday - a meeting between the defense ministers of Turkey, Russia and the Syrian regime, and the heads of the intelligence services in the three countries, and the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated - in a statement - that the tripartite meeting discussed the Syrian crisis, the refugee problem and the joint fight against what it describes as terrorist organizations in Syria.
The statement affirmed the meeting's agreement during the meeting, "which was held in a constructive atmosphere," to continue the tripartite meetings "in order to ensure and maintain stability in Syria and the region."
Turkish Foreign Minister: Turkey is a guarantor of the Syrian opposition (Reuters - Archive)
upcoming meeting
On the other hand, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said - yesterday, Tuesday - that he would meet with his Syrian counterpart in the second half of this month, but he stressed that Turkey will not normalize relations with Syria or meet with the regime there, despite the Syrian opposition.
Oglu said - in non-photographed statements during his return from Brazil - that the possibility of meeting Turkish Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian Bashar al-Assad will be evaluated later, considering that it is too early to talk about a meeting that brings them together.
He said that the Syrian regime wants to cooperate with Turkey on the issue of the return of Syrians from Turkey to Syria.
The foreign minister added that Turkey is a guarantor of the Syrian opposition, and that it will not normalize relations with the Syrian regime or hold a meeting with it despite the Syrian opposition.