Putin, Erdogan to intensify efforts to eliminate terrorists in Idlib zone

The President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan have agreed to intensify joint efforts to eliminate the terrorist threat emanating from the Idlib de-escalation zone. They also agreed to ensure the implementation of the Sochi Memorandum of September 17, 2018.

According to a statement on the website of President of Russia, "Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, at the Turkish side's initiative."

During the telephone call, Putin and Erdogan discussed various aspects of Russian-Turkish cooperation in the context of stabilizing the Idlib de-escalation zone.

Taking into account the forthcoming fifth summit of the guarantor states of the Astana process due in September, they also considered other aspects of the Syrian peace process, including the work being done by Russia, Turkey, and Iran in cooperation with the United Nations to form and launch the Constitutional Committee.

The two leaders also touched upon the Middle East agenda and further development of bilateral cooperation.

They agreed to continue personal contacts.

Putin also had a telephone conversation with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the telephone call, they expressed mutual interest in maintaining Russian-Israeli cooperation on the Syrian track and in the joint fight against international terrorism.

The Israeli Prime Minister updated the Russian leader on the results of his recent visit to Ukraine.

They also touched upon ways of further strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation. It was agreed to continue contacts.