ANKARA: Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar held a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ali Mahmud Abbas in Moscow for the first time in 11 years, said a statement released here by the Defence Ministry. Akar and the head of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan headed to Russia’s capital Moscow for discussions on Wednesday. Syrian and Russian intelligence chiefs also attended the meeting, the Defense Ministry said.
“Syrian crisis, refugee issue and efforts of joint fight against all terror organisations on Syrian soil were discussed in the constructive meeting,” the ministry added. Turkish, Russian, Syrian defense ministers and intelligence chiefs also agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the region, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
Akar and Fidan’s delegation departed from the Esenboğa Airport in Ankara early Wednesday. No further information was provided about the issues that were discussed in the meeting. Turkish officials frequently say that Ankara is determined to continue to push for a diplomatic solution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the war wages on. Türkiye is one of the most active countries working to ensure a permanent cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia. –Agencies
