President Erdoğan: We are determined to strengthen our coordination with our russian friends

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation held a joint press conference following their talks at the Kremlin.

“My working visit to Russia is taking place following a ship accident in the Kerch Strait. May Allah bless the souls of the 16 people, including 4 Turkish citizens, who lost their lives. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured and I offer my condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased,” President Erdoğan said.

INTENSE COOPERATION BETWEEN TURKEY AND RUSSIA

“Turkey and Russia enjoy very intense cooperation in the spheres of economy, trade, industry, energy and culture. Lately, tourism has ranked first among them. Thanks to President Putin’s and my efforts, our current cooperation continue to grow stronger,” President Erdoğan underlined.

“Our cooperation in economy continue to yield positive outcomes. Our annual bilateral trade volume of $26 billion is on the rise,” President Erdoğan said.

Stating that the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant and the TurkStream projects, which symbolize the Turkish-Russian cooperation, are underway, President Erdoğan said: “2019 will be a very special year in this regard. We will reciprocally hold culture and tourism year events in Turkey and Russia. In the last two years, Russians have ranked first among the tourists we host in Turkey. Last year, we hosted nearly 6 million Russian guests. I believe this figure will further rise in 2019. Visa-free travel was also on our agenda. I believe visa-free travel between Turkey and Russia will cement the friendship between the people of two countries.”

“WE ARE DETERMINED TO STRENGTHEN OUR COORDINATION WITH OUR RUSSIAN FRIENDS”

“We especially had an opportunity to discuss the situation in Syria. We followed upon the implementation of the results of the Idlib Agreement and the Quadrilateral Summit on Syria,” President Erdoğan said.

“We reviewed the developments on the ground, particularly in Idlib. We also discussed the U.S. decision to withdraw,” President Erdoğan noted. “The cooperation between Turkey and Russia is a cornerstone of Syria’s peace, security and stability. We have achieved many successes and positive developments thanks to our close dialogue and cooperation. We are determined to strengthen our coordination with our Russian friends.”

"It is of critical importance that any vacuum which can be abused by terrorist organizations is not allowed during the U.S. withdrawal from Syria,” President Erdoğan underscored.

“Turkey’s sole purpose is to clear the region of such terrorists organizations as DAESH, PYD/YPG,” President Erdoğan reiterated. “We know very well who backs them and who provokes them. I would like to note that there is also need for a joint fight against terrorist organizations which aim to undermine the Turkish-Russian cooperation. We will work in coordination against attempts to violate the memorandum. Also, we will rapidly implement the decisions we have taken. It is urgent that the constitutional committee be formed as soon as possible. We will focus our efforts on that area.”

SYRIAN REFUGEES’ RETURN HOME

“We also discussed the Syrian refugees’ return, which closely concerns Turkey that houses nearly 4 million Syrian refugees,” President Erdoğan noted.

“300 thousand Syrians have returned so far to the areas, cleared of terrorism through operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch. In the 4-thousand-square-km area stretching from Afrin to Jarabulus, Syrians can lead normal lives in safety and peace away from terror,” President Erdoğan said.

President Erdoğan also suggested that this model which paves the way for refugees’ return should be implemented east of the Euphrates.

“TALKS ON SAFE ZONE IN SYRIA CONTINUE” 

Following their statements, the two leaders answered reporters’ questions.

In answer to a question on the talks with the U.S. regarding a safe zone in Syria and whether this issue was on the agenda of the meeting in Moscow, President Erdoğan said that ministers and officials have held negotiations on safe zone.

Noting that the U.S. has conveyed her approach with regard to taking measures on threatening regions, which is a nearly 30-32 km-deep area, President Erdoğan also said Turkey does not have any issues with Russia regarding this matter, either.

“OUR JOINT FIGHT AGAINST TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS IN IDLIB WILL CONTINUE”

“Our joint fight against terrorist organizations in Idlib will continue,” President Erdoğan underlined, and said: “We will continue to fight because our aim is to ensure Syrian people’s peace and happiness while also giving no respite to terrorist groups. We have reaffirmed our solidarity in this regard.”