Turkey: Manbij roadmap to help rebuild trust with US

By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA (AA) - The Manbij roadmap reached by Turkey and the U.S. earlier this month for Syria’s future will help rebuild trust with Washington, Turkish foreign minister said.

In a special interview with Italian daily La Repubblica published on Friday, Mevlut Cavusoglu said: “In regards to Syria, we have found a way [with the U.S.] to guarantee Manbij’s security. This will help rebuild the trust that we have lost unfortunately due to the support that the U.S. gave to PKK and YPG.”

The roadmap was announced after a June 4 meeting in Washington between Cavusoglu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

The deal focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the northern Syrian city of Manbij and on stability in the region.

Speaking on ties between Turkey and the U.S, Cavusoglu said: “The relations [with the U.S.] are little better and we are working with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to normalize the relations.”

When asked if Turkish army will remain in Syria or not, he said: “Turkish and American soldiers will work together in Manbij. [...] If we withdraw [from the area], Daesh and PKK, even Syrian regime may come back.”

He said Turkey's presence in Syria and helping return of numerous refugees is important for both Syria and security of Turkey.

- 'Strategic goal'

In regards to Turkey’s EU membership bid, Cavusoglu said that it is still “a strategic goal” despite all the obstacles and opposition from some countries.

He added that Turkey is ready to negotiate every chapter.

Turkey has so far met most of the requirements for visa liberalization, but the EU’s demands for change in Ankara’s anti-terrorism laws has led to a deadlock in negotiations.

The Turkish authorities previously said the refugee deal could collapse if the EU failed to provide Ankara with the promised visa liberalization by the end of 2018.

Cavusoglu also rejected claims that Russia would change the technical system that NATO uses when they come to Turkey to set up S-400 defense system.

“This is not true. It was guaranteed [by Russia] that S-400 [missiles] would not be a threat while we were negotiating the purchase.”

Under an accelerated timetable for the S-400 deal, Russia's first deliveries of the S-400 to Turkey are due in late 2019 or early 2020.