UPDATE – Ankara, Moscow eye clearing Idlib, Syria of terrorism

ADDS MORE REMARKS OF TURKISH PRESIDENT</p> <p>By Diyar Guldogan and Elena Teslova</p> <p>ANKARA / MOSCOW (AA) – Turkey's president said Monday that Turkey and Russia both want to eliminate terrorists from Idlib, a region in northwestern Syria near Turkish borders.</p> <p>&quot;Ankara will never allow [the presence of] an entity that poses a threat to Turkish and Syrian territorial integrity,&quot; Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.</p> <p>Ankara continues to take measures on Idlib since it is a &quot;sensitive&quot; issue for Turkey, Erdogan said.</p> <p>&quot;On the basis of our common understanding with Russia, we are determined to dismantle the terrorism from Syria that threatens our national security,.&quot;</p> <p>He stressed that Idlib must be completely cleared of terrorism for people to return safely to their homes.</p> <p>&quot;To date we have taken the steps we should take in Idlib, and we will continue to do so. Because retreat is impossible.&quot;</p> <p>Erdogan also said that both countries are determined to eliminate the terror threats near Turkey's borders, adding that the terrorist groups PKK and the YPG — its Syrian branch — pose a threat like Daesh.</p> <p>In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU — has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women and children. The PYD/YPG is its Syrian branch.</p> <p>Turkey and Russia’s “intense contacts and sincere dialogue have had a positive impact on our bilateral relations,&quot; Erdogan said.</p> <p>Stressing the importance of defense industry cooperation with Russia, Erdogan said Turkey has taken steps on this, adding that he expects a shift to trade using local currencies as soon as possible.</p> <p>On Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, Erdogan said that no one expects Ankara to renege on the deal, which is its national right.</p> <p>&quot;If we made a deal, then that’s it,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Putin, for his part, said that Turkish-Russian efforts in Idlib will finally lead to eliminating the terrorist threat there.</p> <p>Calling the Idlib problem &quot;pressing,&quot; he added that a joint Russian-Turkish monitoring center will be established.</p> <p> </p> <p>-Stronger trade ties</p> <p>Putin praised the talks in Moscow as &quot;very successful&quot; and helping to boost the development of Turkish-Russian ties.</p> <p>He stressed the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries, adding that a Russian-Turkish investment fund created Monday will be able to attract at leas on in investments.</p> <p>Putin said that Russia is doing its best to ensure economic independence for both countries, including trading in national currencies with Turkey.</p> <p>He called Russian-Turkish cooperation in the energy domain &quot;strategic&quot; and promised to complete construction of the Akkuyu nuclear plant by 2023, the centenary of the Turkish Republic.</p> <p>The TurkStream pipeline now under construction will let Turkey become a transit country for delivering Russian natural gas to Europe, he said.</p> <p>Putin said he discussed with Erdogan the delivery of S-400 missile defense systems and other arms purchases, adding that Russia and Turkey will boost cooperation in arms.</p> <p>He also said that Russian journalists will come to Turkey for an exchange program, which will contribute to stronger ties.</p> <p>In another trade boost, Putin said that the visa requirement for Turkish truck drivers will be cancelled in the near future.</p> <p>&quot;Ankara and Moscow are willing to further enhance relations,&quot; said President Erdogan, adding that the next high-level meeting with Russia will be hosted by Turkey.</p> <p>The two leaders earlier Monday chaired the 8th meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council following one-on-one talks at Kremlin.<br> <br> * Additional writing by Jeyhun Aliyev</p> <p>

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