Leaders to hold Idlib summit on March 5

Turkey's president has said that he will meet with the leaders of Russia, Germany and France on March 5 to discuss the recent situation in Syria and Libya.

"Sometimes, the interests of our country and other powers conflict in this struggle. […] Turkey has enough power and capacity to pursue an independent policy and implement this on the ground," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during his visit to the western Turkish province of İzmir where he attended several opening ceremonies and held speeches.

Referring to Turkey's strategy in the region, he said that after phone calls with Putin, Macron, and Merkel on Feb. 21, a roadmap was drawn.

In a phone conversation, Erdoğan told Putin that the Assad regime must show restraint and the humanitarian crisis must end in Idlib.

He added that resolving the crisis unfolding in Idlib hinges on full implementation of the 2018 Sochi deal.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to all agreements reached concerning Syria.

In the phone call with Macron and Merkel, Erdoğan also said the aggression by the Syrian regime and its supporters in Idlib should come
to an end.

Referring to phone calls with Putin, Merkel and Macron, Erdoğan said: "The Idlib issue is as important as Afrin and the Peace Spring region. We will meet again on March 5 to discuss the same issues."

He underlined that Turkey's operations brought peace to the areas that were held by the YPG for a while, and Turkey aims to establish the same peaceful environment in Idlib.

Turkey deems YPG as the Syrian offshoot of the outlawed PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

No 'adventure, arbitrariness'

Erdoğan also stressed...