Fight Against Terrorism Priority in Ankara-Moscow Relations - Turkish FM

The fight against international terrorism and the settlement of the conflict in Syria are among the most important issues in Moscow-Ankara relations, Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu said Thursday.

SOCHI (Sputnik) — Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a meeting with Sinirlioglu in the southwestern Russian city of Sochi.

"Indeed, regional and international issues, the fight against international terrorism and the situation in Syria — these are the issues that are of primary importance on our agenda. And…even despite some difference of opinion, our goals are the same," Sinirlioglu said during the meeting.

He pointed out that Turkey and Russia were the main guarantors of stability in the Middle East.

Terrorism threatens not only the Middle East, but Turkey and Russia as well, that is why it is imperative that the most comprehensive approach possible to the issue should be taken, Sinirlioglu said.

Turkey, which borders war-torn Syria, is conducting airstrikes on ISIL positions there. Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with government forces battling a so-called moderate opposition and various Islamist groups operating in the country, including Islamic State.