Prime MinisterRecep Tayyip Erdo?andiscussed the Syrian crisis in his unscheduled meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday during the 12th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Baku.
The pair discussed the Syrian crisis in their 40-minute long meeting and exchanged views on U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimis recent visit to the region while emphasizing increased efforts to stop the bloodshed, according to the Anatolia News Agency.
Foreign MinisterAhmet Davuto?luand Numan Kurtulmu?, deputy chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), were also present at the meeting. According to reports, Erdo?an saidTurkeyresponded appropriately in regards to the Akakale incident on Oct. 3, where five people were killed by Syrian shelling, and continues to practice required measures. The Iranian leader showed support forTurkeyregarding the incident and said Tehran will continue to supportAnkaraon this issue. Party for Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK), the Iranian wing of the outlawedKurdistan Workers Party(PKK), were also discussed by the leaders.
Earlier reports had suggested that no face-to-face meeting would take place between the leaders due toTurkeyand Irans worsening relations. Yet following the meeting with Erdo?an, Ahmadinejad agreed to lift the veto on Turkish Cyprus. An agreement was signed at the event granting the republic observer status. Meanwhile, U.S. Acting Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller held talks with diplomats inAnkaraon a range of issues including the Syrian crisis.
Gottemoellers visit comes afterTurkeyforced a Syrian airliner from Moscow to land inAnkaralast week, yet sources from the event stressed that Gottemoellers visit was scheduled in advance and had no connection to the plane incident.
Turkey right on plane: Russia
In Moscow,RussianForeign Minister Sergei Lavrov saidTurkeyacted within its rights and in line with the Chicago Convention when grounding the Syrian plane. However,Russiawould still like an official explanation on the reasons behind the incident, Lavrov said.
The U.S. called on all of Syrias neighbors to keep a careful watch over their airspace. We support the decision thatTurkeyhas made, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters.
We are encouraging all of Syrias neighbors to be vigilant with regard to how their airspace is used, particularly now that we have this concrete example, she said. Erdo?an reiterated on Oct. 15 that the cargoAnkaraconfiscated from the intercepted Syrian passenger jet contained weapons. It is beyond any doubt that the cargo is war equipment, Erdo?an told.
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