- Title: Putin says Russia, Turkey agree on additional steps in Syria's Idlib
- Date: 27th August 2019
- Summary: MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA (AUGUST 27, 2019) (RUSSIAN POOL) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN AND TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE PUTIN AND ERDOGAN MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "Both we and our Turkish colleagues are seriously concerned by the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone. Terrorists continue attacks against the Syrian government forces and make attempts to attack the Russian military infrastructure. We are sure, that (CONTINUES OVER RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI SHOIGU (IN CENTER) LISTENING) the de-escalation zone must not become shelter for terrorists, moreover it must not become an arena of the new offensive. (CONTINUES IN SHOT) In this context, together with Turkey's president, we have outlined additional joint steps to neutralise the terrorists' nests in Idlib and normalise the situation there." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "We strictly stick to the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria. We must not allow the country to be divided into influence zones." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "The creation of a security zone on the southern border of Turkey will become a good condition to ensure the territorial integrity of Syria. In this respect we support any activity aimed at de-escalation in this area." RUSSIAN OFFICIALS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING: "(STARTS OVER MEDIA LISTENING, CONTINUES IN SHOT) With the Sochi agreement we reached last September, we managed to achieve relative stability in Idlib. Since May, Syrian government forces have ruined this relative peace with their attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. Unfortunately this disturbed the peace we established in Idlib." CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN, SAYING: "Now the second stage of S-400 (missile systems) delivery is underway, and it will continue until the end of September. The preparation of the personnel is also underway. We would like to extend our solidarity on other aspects of the defence industry. This could be in civilian as well as military airplanes. All that matters is this spirit of solidarity." ERDOGAN SPEAKING, MEDIA IN FRONT OF HIM (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN, SAYING: "In the middle of September we will come to Ankara for a meeting on Syrian settlement with the countries which participate in the Astana process - Russia, Turkey and Iran. Besides Mr. Erdogan has an invitation to take part in Moscow energy week in October." VARIOUS OF PRESIDENTS SHAKING HANDS AND LEAVING
- Embargoed: 10th September 2019 17:01
- Keywords: Maks Air show International Aviation and Space Show MAKS Russia - Turkey Vladimir Putin Tayyip Erdogan
- Location: MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001ATZUFD3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (August 27) that he and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan have outlined additional joint measures aimed at rooting out "terrorists" in Syria's Idlib area.
Putin told a joint briefing with Erdogan that the two countries agreed steps in northwest Syria to help "normalise" the situation there after a Syrian army offensive encircled rebel fighters and a Turkish military post.
Putin, speaking after talks with Erdogan, also said he and the Turkish leader had underlined that Syria should remain a unified country. He did not mention Erdogan's call for the Syrian army assault to be halted.
Erdogan has said the Syrian army attacks in the Idlib region bordering Turkey have caused a humanitarian crisis and threaten Turkey's national security.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, backed by Russian air power, have been waging an offensive in the Idlib region, the last remaining rebel-held territory in Syria. Much of the region is controlled by jihadists linked to the former Nusra Front, which was linked to al Qaeda.
Erdogan, standing alongside Putin, blamed Syrian forces for destroying the "relative stability in Idlib".
The Turkish president added that Ankara wants to continue defence industry cooperation with Russia, including on warplanes.
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