Erdoğan: The Step in East of Euphrates Taken with the US

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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a joint press conference at Presidential Complex in Ankara last evening (August 7).

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), in his speech at the press conference, Erdoğan also addressed the negotiations with the US over the establishment of a "peace corridor" on the Turkey-Syria border.

Emphasizing the importance of a "peace corridor" to be formed on the borderline with Syria, Erdoğan stated that Turkey and the US agreed to establish a joint operation center "as soon as possible."

"Three-day talks with the US military delegation ended positively", Erdoğan stated in his speech and underlined that the important thing is to take a step in the east of Euphrates with the US.

"It was important that a step be taken in the east of Euphrates", Erdoğan indicated and added, "This is being taken together with the Americans."

Annexation of Crimea, conflicts in Donbass

In his speech, Erdoğan also touched upon the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflicts in the Donbass region.

Erdoğan stated that he hoped that the conflict in the eastern Donbass region of Ukraine would end as soon as possible. "We believe that the problem could be resolved peacefully in line with international law and Ukraine's territorial integrity", he indicated further.

Referring to the annexation of Crimea by Russia as "illegal", Erdoğan added, "Continuation of our kinsmen's existence in their historical motherland Crimea, protection of their identity and culture, preservation of their basic rights and freedoms are Turkey's priorities." (EMK/SD)

* Photograph: Anadolu Agency