ANKARA, November 20. /TASS/. Upon returning home from Brazil, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his pool of reporters that his country will continue to operate in Syria in accordance with its national security interests and is in contact with Russia for that reason.
"We will continue to oppose terrorism. Turkey is ready both for the new reality in Syria, which the US withdrawal will create, and the current one. Our national security is the top priority and comes before everything else. We are trying to change the situation in Syria for the good of the entire region, while holding the necessary negotiations with Russia on the issue," the Anadolu news agency quoted the Turkish president as saying.
He added that "Turkey has no tolerance for groups that pose a threat to its national security beyond its borders." "We have made it clear for all of our dialogue partners how firm our stance on this matter is. We clearly explain our approach and our objectives. Northern Syria was occupied by the Kurdistan Workers' Party with the support of the US," Erdogan noted.
The Turkish leader drew attention to the fact that the north of Syria is "equally significant to both Ankara and Damascus." "Clearing this region from the Kurdistan Workers' Party [and associated Kurdish organizations] is important for the Syrian administration. The civil war in Syria led to serious instability in this neighboring country. This instability has created a breeding ground for terrorist organizations, which we are opposing. Just as we are making these efforts, the Syrian administration should engage in similar efforts as well," the president added.