MOSCOW, Dec 31 Defense Ministers of Turkey, Syria and Russia At a meeting in Moscow, they agreed on the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Syria, the Al-Watan newspaper writes, citing sources in Damascus.
According to one of the interlocutors of the publication, the result of the negotiations was «Turkey's consent to the complete withdrawal of troops from the Syrian territories that it occupies in the north, as well as Ankara's confirmation of respect for the sovereignty and integrity of Syria.» The meeting also discussed the implementation of the agreement concluded in 2020 on the opening of the M4 highway, the source added.
In addition, he noted, the negotiators stressed that the formations of the PKK, banned in Turkey, “are agents of Israel and the United States and pose the greatest danger to Turkey and Syria».
To ensure the implementation of the agreements reached, it is planned to create specialized commissions, and if necessary, the parties will hold new meetings for further coordination of actions, the publication concludes.
The talks of the heads of the military departments of the three countries took place in Moscow on December 28. This was the first official meeting between representatives of Ankara and Damascus in 11 years. As stated in the Russian Ministry of Defense, the parties noted the constructive nature of the dialogue and the need to continue it for further stabilization of the situation in Syria and the region as a whole.