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Conflict in Syria

Putin, Erdogan agree to boost military coordination during operations against IS in Syria

The leaders confirmed in their phone talk the importance of assisting the promotion of the Astana and the Geneva processes on the Syrian settlement

© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan have held a telephone conversation agreeing to boost military coordination during operations against the Islamic state terror group (IS, outlawed in Russia) in Syria, the Kremlin press service said in a statement.

"The presidents exchanged views on the key aspects of the Syrian crisis focusing on cooperation in the fight against international terrorism," the statement reads. "They agreed to boost military coordination during operations against members of the Islamic State and other extremist organizations active in Syria."

Read also

Russia and Turkey smash Islamic State terrorists during joint operation in Syria

Putin also conveyed his condolences over a tragic accident causing the death of several Turkish military servicemen near the Syrian city of al-Bab.

According to the Kremlin press service, Putin and Erdogan expressed their readiness to further contribute to settling the Syrian crisis.

"The sides discussed the implementation of the results of the international meeting on Syria held in Astana with the Russian, Turkish and Iranian mediation. They confirmed their readiness to actively assist in further promoting the Astana and the Geneva processes on the Syrian settlement," the Kremlin press office reported.

The presidents of Russia and Turkey have also discussed preparations for a session of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council, due in Russia in March.

"Topical issues of the development of Russian-Turkish cooperation in trade, economic and other sectors have been discussed, including in view of preparations for a session in Russia of the High-Level Cooperation Council of the two countries, scheduled for March," the Kremlin press service said.

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Vladimir Putin Recep Tayyip Erdogan Syrian conflict

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