Senior Turkish MP receives Russian, US envoys

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Senior Turkish lawmaker Volkan Bozkir on Wednesday received Russian Ambassador to Turkey Alexei Yerkhov and Jeffrey Hovenier, charge d'affaires of the U.S. in Ankara, in separate meetings.

"We exchanged views on the recent developments in our region. We also discussed the mutually agreed new mechanism to be created, in order to intensify the parliamentary cooperation between our countries," Bozkir, the head of the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee, tweeted after meeting Yerkhov.

About Friday's trilateral summit between the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran on Syria, Bozkir said he is hopeful for the outcomes of the meeting in Tehran.

"Because, these three countries, which recognize and take responsibility for the region, will take the necessary decisions for the region to let it look to the future with peace," he added.

Bozkir said Turkey is in close cooperation with Russia on Syria, adding: "Our desire is distinguishing civilians from militant groups in Idlib and so preventing any civilian loss during any possible operation here."

Regional developments, ties discussed

After receving Hovenier, Bozkir tweeted: "We discussed the recent developments in the region and in the bilateral relations between our two countries and possible initiatives to be taken at the parliamentary level to improve relations."

About political tensions between Turkey and the U.S., Bozkir said neither Ankara nor Washington have the luxury of having a "hostile" attitude toward each other.

"I do not think these problems cannot be solved. In the upcoming period, I wish we will take part in world politics as two friendly and allied countries that trust each other," he added.

Bozkir said Turkey pays importance to friendship with the U.S., adding: "We will find a solution to the problems through mutual negotiations."

Hovenier said he looks forward to working with Bozkir and other leaders of the Turkish government.

For Syria's Idlib, which was bombed by Russian warplanes on Tuesday, Hovenier said the U.S. and Turkey have the same concerns.

He added U.S. President Donald Trump was "quite clear" about the U.S. position.

Trump on Monday warned against Assad regime's possible attacks in Idlib urging Iran and Russia not to make "a grave humanitarian mistake" by taking part in the attacks.