Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin
The presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation during which we agreed to increase coordination of military action in Syria against militants of the banned in Russia “Islamic state” (IG). On Thursday, February 9, the press service of the Kremlin.
“The leaders continued exchanging views on key aspects of the crisis in Syria in the context of the joint fight against international terrorism”, — is spoken in the message.
The heads of state discussed the results of the International meeting on Syria in Astana and confirmed their readiness to actively contribute to the further promotion of the Astana and the Geneva process on Syria.
Putin also expressed his condolences in connection with tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of several Turkish soldiers in the town of al-Bab in the Syrian province of Aleppo.
In addition, the leaders discussed issues of cooperation in trade, economic and other fields, including subject preparation is planned for March 2017 meeting in Russia of the Council of high level cooperation between the two countries.
February 8, the official representative of the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin said the Turkish troops and the Syrian opposition entered the town of al-Bab, reports TASS. He also noted that Turkey “coordinate with Russia the actions of the troops to prevent clashes with the Syrian army”. “Coordination is implemented effectively. This is important for Russia,” he said.
In late January, the Russian air group in Syria and the Turkish air force aircraft during a joint air operation against ISIS destroyed three control and communication centers of militants in the area of El-Baba. The fighting is conducted from December 2016. Attack on city controlled by militants, carried the troops of the opposition free Syrian army with the support of the Turkish military.
January 24, at the talks in the capital of Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed to establish a joint body that is entrusted with monitoring compliance with the ceasefire in Syria.