Turkish expert: "Operation in Idlib will not negatively affect the Turkish-Russian relations"

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- How do you assess the summit held in Tehran on September 7? Have any results been obtained? Three days ago, President Erdogan in his article in The Wall Street Journal drew attention to the "humanists of the tragedy that could occur as a result of military actions" ...

- After the final declaration published after the summit it was clear that the participants of the meeting in Tehran remained true to the requirements of the "Astana Process", since one of the main requirements of this process is the issue of the territorial integrity of Syria. And this issue was reflected in the Tehran Declaration, and this, in turn, proves that other issues should be resolved within the same framework. The disagreement between Russia, Iran and Turkey over the cleansing of terrorist groups in Idlib does not remove the general spirit of the "Astana process." If there is no misunderstanding on the main points of cooperation on an international scale, then it is easier to solve secondary questions. After the decision of the UN Security Council, Turkey recognized the Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group in Idlib. According to the decision taken by the President on August 31, Ankara will fight at the proper level with al-Qaida, al-Nusra, Tahrir al-Sham there. This is significant: Turkey, along with its allies, will fight against terrorist groups in Idlib, but there are contradictions in the methods for clearing the region. I repeat: the difference in methodologies will not bring harm to the common cause. I believe in strengthening the cooperation of the three countries in the fight against the Terrir in Idlib, reflected in Article 4 of the Final Tehran Declaration.

- To what extent can Russia's military operation in Idlib influence the Turkish-Russian relations?

- The military operation in Idlib conducted by the Syrian army with the large-scale support of Russia will not have any impact on Russian-Turkish relations, because the relations between the two countries can not be assessed only within the framework of Idlib. Turkey and Russia separated Idlib's question from other issues and kept it "in a separate room". On the other hand, Russia is preparing to sell S-400 missiles to Turkey, building Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Mersin, and so on. Turkey and the US could not keep some of their problems "in a separate room," especially America, which went far beyond traditional relations. For example, Pastor Bruson's question exacerbated relations between countries. If you look at the relationship between Ankara and Moscow, Idlib will not create any problems.

- To what extent will the operation in Idlib affect the presence of Turkey in Afrina, El Bab, Mengbij?

"Under the current situation neither Russia nor Iran will raise their voice against the presence of Turkey in Africa and other regions. Only sometime after Russia and Iran will ask Turkey to remain true to its obligations, that is, respect for the territorial integrity of Syria. I think that this will happen in about a year. After the Syrian state spreads power to the regions of the eastern coast of the Euphrates on the agenda, the question of Turkey's presence in Africa and other regions will arise, and Turkey will be required to leave it.

-"What is the present situation on the eastern bank of the Euphrates?" Will the Kurdish cantons created there be permanent?

- In view of the fact that currently the main issue is Idlib, the processes on the eastern bank of the Euphrates seem to have been forgotten. Most of the processes causing headache to Turkey happen there. The USA did not leave anybody there alone PYD/YPG. The situation there in the end will collide the United States with Syria and Turkey. According to the Article 51 of the UN Charter, Turkey has the right to protect itself from the threat of terror emanating from this region. Therefore, when attention is paid to that region, Turkey will have many problems, including an alternative to cooperation. Turkey should not let even for a minute these regions out of sight.

- Despite all the initiatives and proposals, including from Russia, President Erdogan is not inclined to open or secret dialogue with the Damascus regime. What can you say about the prospects for cooperation between Ankara and Damascus?

- I think that when preparing the plans for today and the future of Syria in Ankara, the necessity of establishing a dialogue of cooperation with the Assad regime should be taken into consideration. Turkey, in order to avoid threats directed against it, should establish direct relations with Damascus. Why not to co-operate with the official government to eliminate the inherent PYD/YPG. In my opinion, it is necessary to proceed to this dialogue, while time has not gone.