Germany welcomes Turkey-Russia deal on northern Syria

BERLIN (AA) - Germany on Wednesday welcomed the agreement between Turkey and Russia for a terror-free zone in northern Syria.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman expressed hope that the agreement will contribute to further de-escalation of tensions.

“We welcome that the agreement has extended the ceasefire for another 150 hours,” Steffen Seibert said, referring to the deadline given to the terrorist YPG/PKK group to pull back 30 kilometers (19 miles) from the Turkish-Syrian border.

“And it’s also very important that Turkish and Russian presidents have reaffirmed their support in the agreement for the Constitutional Committee for Syria, which will gather in Geneva next week,” Seibert said, stressing that this will be an important milestone for a political solution to end Syria’s 8-years long civil war.

Seibert also said that Germany will have talks with its EU partners, Turkey and Russia on the details of the agreement, to clarify points such as the UNHCR’s role in the return of Syrian refugees in a safe and voluntary manner.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed on a 10-point plan on Tuesday to create a terror-free safe zone in northern Syria and they reiterated their commitment to the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

According to the agreement, PKK/YPG terrorists will pull back 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Turkey’s border within 150 hours and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.

Earlier this month, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate all terrorist groups from northeastern Syria and to create the conditions for the safe return of Syrian refugees.

After strong opposition by the U.S. administration to the operation, Ankara and Washington reached a deal on Oct. 17 to pause the operation for 120 hours to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned safe zone.

Turkey has long called on the U.S. to end its support for the YPG/PKK group, stressing that “one cannot rely on a terrorist organization while fighting another terrorist group”.

Ankara repeatedly expressed its determination to clear northern Syria of both Daesh and YPG/PKK terrorist groups.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.