Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said after a meeting of the Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that the two sides are actively working on a settlement of the Syrian issue.
"We are building a strong mechanism with Russia on Syria," Anadolu cited the minister as saying.
The head of the political research of the Center for Modern Turkish Studies, Yuri Mavashev, speaking with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza, noted that Syria was the cause of the confrontation between the two countries, so it is logical that the process of normalizing relations would also start with this issue.
"The meeting of Putin and Erdogan was successful; it can be assumed that the sides have reached an understanding on Syria. However, the details and substantive solutions will not be announced, as the Russian and Turkish society must be prepared for them," he expressed an opinion.
Speaking about a possible consensus, Mavashev suggested that Moscow is likely to consider some of Ankara's concerns regarding the refugees. "A special zone for 3.5 million Syrians who have fled into Turkey can be created, but it should be approved by the Syrian President Bashar Assad. Turkey, in turn, will refuse to support illegal armed groups," the expert stressed.
Focusing on the latest developments in Turkey, Mavashev noted that the attempted coup turned Turkey into a different country. "Now the Turkish society is consolidated around its leader - Recep Erdogan. At the same time there is a growing rift between the EU and the US from Turkey. It is worth noting that Washington has been Ankara's ally for a long time and continues to be one in the NATO format, therefore, despite Turkey's anti-American rhetoric, the country will not leave the alliance," the expert said.
