Putin: Russia Cooperating with Other Countries to Maintain Syria’s Territorial Integrity, Eliminate Terrorism

ANKARA, (ST)- Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed that Russia and a number of countries are cooperating as to maintain Syria’s territorial integrity and eliminate terrorism.

In a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyib Erdogan in Ankara on Tuesday, Putin said that Russia’s approach is based on the need that all Syrian parties should take part in deciding the future of their country and in solving the crisis.

He added that he and Erdogan discussed enhancing the cessation of hostilities agreement in Syria and creating suitable environment for the continuity of the Syrian-Syrian dialogue to solve the crisis.

 On his part, Erdogan said Russia and Turkey “will continue intensive work as to establish peace and stability in the region”.

According to Sputnik, The Russian president said that opportunities to strengthen the ceasefire regime and inter-group dialogue have been investigated. He also confirmed the adherence of Russia and Turkey to combating terrorism in Syria and to maintaining the country’s territorial integrity.

The situation in Syria as well as several topics will be discussed on Wednesday at a trilateral meeting between Putin, Erdogan and the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

President Putin also commented on the Skripal case, saying that according to international experts roughly 20 states in the world are capable of producing nerve agents like the one used in Salisbury. He is also confident that the truth will be revealed during the upcoming OPCW meeting.

“We are calling for this meeting to study this situation very thoroughly. And we hope that this discussion will put an end to the speculations as to what really happened there [in Salisbury],” Putin said.

He also noted that some 20 questions will be brought up by Russia during the meeting.

“We want to gain access to this investigation and are hoping to receive its materials, because this is a matter of Russian citizens’ lives,” Putin said.

On Monday, Russian president’s aide Yuri Ushakov said that Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia, Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and Hassan Rouhani of Iran are expected to pass a joint statement on the situation in Syria after their summit in Ankara on April 4, Itar Tass reported.

“We expect the leaders, both during their meeting and in a joint statement, to reiterate their commitment to support to Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. This is a matter of paramount importance,” he said.

According to the Kremlin aide, the statement’s text is currently under consideration, experts are expected to work on it on April 2-3.

Hamda Mustafa