Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu

20.05.2020

On May 20, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu.

As a follow-up to the telephone conversation between President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 18, the foreign ministers exchanged views on the current developments in Libya. They pointed out the importance of ending hostilities without delay and relaunching the UN-led political process, with the necessary participation of the Libyan parties in order to settle the crisis on the basis of the decisions made at the Berlin conference and approved by a UN Security Council resolution.

The ministers reaffirmed their countries’ resolve to continue to strengthen interaction aimed at a comprehensive settlement of the Syrian crisis with international support and in accordance with the related UN Security Council resolutions. In this context they reaffirmed the commitment of the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran to the agreements as the guarantor countries of the Astana format. The ministers noted the importance of preparing the next Astana summit meeting of the three leaders which is scheduled to take place in Tehran. They also agreed to continue working to implement the protocol on the Idlib de-escalation zone signed by the presidents of Russia and Turkey on March 5, 2020, which includes the neutralisation of the terrorist groups operating there.

The ministers exchanged views on the current OSCE objectives for promoting the settlement of the internal Ukrainian crisis in accordance with the Minsk Package of Measures.

They also discussed the further development of bilateral relations, including mutual support in the battle against the coronavirus infection and in organising the return home of Russian and Turkish citizens.

Sergey Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed satisfaction with the events held by the two countries’ cultural and public organisations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of victory over Nazism.

They have agreed to maintain close ties on the entire range of international and regional issues.