Turkish, Syrian, Russian Defense Ministers hold talks in Moscow

WORLD, Dec. 29 (YPA) – The Russian capital, Moscow on hosted a tripartite session of talks between the defense ministers of Russia, Syria and Turkey.

Sputnik news agency today quoted Russia’s Defense Ministry’s statement saying: “the talks dealt with efforts of fighting terrorism, the situation in Syria and the issue of refugees.”

According to the ministry, the three Ministers affirmed the need for the continuation of joint dialogue to realize stability in Syria and the region.

“Following the meeting, the Ministers referred to the constructive nature of the dialogue, stressing the importance of continuing it in order to increase stable situation in Syria and the region,” according to the statement.

On December 12, it is noteworthy that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he offered Russian President Vladimir Putin the idea of holding a trilateral meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, pointing out that Putin welcomed the idea.

Turkish local media quoted Erdogan’s remarks during his return from Turkmenistan, where he said: “I proposed to Putin to hold a trilateral meeting with Assad, and he welcomed that.”

The Turkish president continued: “We want to take joint steps with Russia and Syria. To do that, our intelligence services must meet first, then the ministers of defense and foreign affairs and after those meetings, we leaders meet.”

Erdogan also added: “The steps we are taking towards normalizing relations with Syria come within the framework of our national interests.”

E.M