US, Turkey pledge cooperation for solution against IS

Istanbul, Jan 24: The US and Turkey pledged to cooperate more closely to reach a political solution in Syria while cleaning the region from the Islamic State (IS), said visiting US Vice President Joe Biden.

"We do know it would better if we can reach a political solution but we are prepared, if that's not possible, to have a military solution to this operation and taking out Daesh," a newsagency quoted Biden as saying at a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday, Jan 23.

Biden emphasized that the two countries agreed to cooperate more closely in conducting an effective struggle against IS, in gathering information, increasing campaigns and supporting the local forces.

Davutoglu said Syrian regime, the IS and Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) constitute three biggest risks for Turkey and reiterated that Ankara was opposed to Syrian Kurdish group to take part in the next peace talks.

He noted that YPG, which is affiliated with outlawed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), has been supporting terrorism in Turkey.

Biden praised Turkey's effort in fighting against terrorism, and described PKK as a terrorist organization, which has no intention to restore peace.

Turkish security forces have been fighting against PKK militants who seek autonomy in southeastern part of Turkey, since last June.

IANS