Russia-Turkey talks continue on second day

By Rabia Iclal Turan

ANKARA (AA) - A Russian military delegation on second day, continued holding talks in Ankara, to discuss modalities of an agreement arrived between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin last week in order to ensure peace in northern Syria.

"The second day of the discussions was completed with the Russian Military Delegation, which came to Ankara, to plan the activities to be carried out within the framework of the agreement reached with the Russia on Oct 22 in Sochi," Turkey's Defense Ministry announced on Twitter on Tuesday.

No further comment was made about the discussions.

Russian military delegation arrived in Turkey on Monday to discuss the modalities of the withdrawal of YPG terrorists and the planned joint patrols.

On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria, east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, and ensure safe return of Syrian refugees. The operation was also meant to safeguard Syria’s territorial integrity.

On Oct. 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Russia's Black Sea resort town of Sochi.

Both the leaders arrived at an agreement, under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols in the area.