Turkey urges 'increased efforts' to solve Syria crisis

By Meltem Bulur

ANKARA

Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday said efforts need to be increased to solve the problems in Syria, which has been ravaged by conflict since early 2011.

"We are ready for cooperation as long as Syria's territorial integrity is protected," Cavusoglu told Anadolu Agency and state-run broadcaster TRT reporters during his two-day official visit to India.

Before his official visit to India, Cavusoglu also spoke about his visit to Iran where he met officials to discuss the Syrian crisis.

"We always say that Iran and Russia's role is crucial to solve problems of countries in the region, like Syria and Iraq," he said.

Turkey will continue to discuss the Syrian issue with other countries either via phone or face-to-face meetings during visits, the foreign minister added.

"We need to increase efforts. As time passes by, the problem deepens and becomes insolvable," Cavusoglu said.

Cavusoglu said he also discussed regional issues with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry via telephone.

After discussing the situation following the Manbij operation, Cavusoglu said promises Kerry had made on the return of PYD to the east of the Euphrates River would be kept.

During the visit to India, Cavusoglu met his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, discussing bilateral and regional issues.

Cavusoglu said both countries would work to enhance relations.

The foreign minister also thanked India for its "strong" support to Turkey following the defeated July 15 coup, which left 240 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

"With their statements, they gave strong support to Turkey, democracy and elected government," Cavusoglu added.