UPDATE - Turkish, Russian, Syrian defense chiefs agree to continue talks to ensure stability in Syria

ADDS MORE DETAILS, DEFENSE MINISTRY STATEMENT; REVISES HEADLINE AND DECK

By Mumin Altas

ANKARA (AA) – At a Wednesday meeting in Moscow, the Turkish, Russian, and Syrian defense ministers agreed to continue tripartite meetings to ensure stability in Syria and the wider region.

At the meeting, held in a "constructive atmosphere,” it was agreed to continue “the format of trilateral meetings to ensure and maintain stability in Syria and the region as a whole," according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.

With accompanying intelligence chiefs, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoygu and Syrian counterpart Ali Mahmoud Abbas met to discuss "the Syrian crisis, the refugee issue, and joint efforts to fight against all terrorist groups in Syria."

Akar and Hakan Fidan, the head of Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), headed to Russia on Wednesday to have multiple meetings in the capital Moscow.