Kerry discusses Syria with Turkish FM after talks with Russia

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlio?lu held a phone conversation on late Sept. 18, following the latter's talks in Russia on the Syrian crisis. President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an also will pay visit to Moscow this week, as the international community accelerates efforts to find a settlement in Syria with Moscow's cooperation. 

During the phone conversation, which came upon the request of the U.S., the two ministers discussed the situation in Syria and the worsening migration crisis affecting Europe and Turkey, as well as the fight against terror, sources told Hürriyet Daily News. 

The phone discussion came amid efforts carried out by the international community, including Turkey, to find a solution for the Syrian crisis, as the U.S. seeks cooperation with Russia to do more against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and find ways to move towards a political settlement in the war-torn country. The U.S. has urged Russia and Iran to use their influence to convince Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to negotiate.

Sinirlio?lu visited Russia last week and held discussions on the Syrian crisis with his Russian counterpart. 

Kerry reiterated al-Assad must go, saying the timing of his departure should be decided through negotiations.

"It doesn't have to be on day one or month one. There is a process by which all the parties have to come together and reach an understanding of how this can best be achieved," he said on Sept. 18, speaking after talks with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

Al-Assad's removal has to be made in the context of the Geneva process and negotiation, Kerry said.
During a press conference on Sept. 18, Sinirlio?lu ruled out al-Assad's role...