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Russia links "normal ties" with Turkey to cooperation on Syria

MOSCOW, July 22 (KUNA) -- Aspired normalization of relations between Russia and Turkey largely hinges on Ankara's "extent of cooperation" to resolve the strife in Syrian, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.
Interfax news agency quoted Lavrov as saying that finding settlement to a lot of unresolved issues between the two nations ""depend on how much Turkey cooperate for resolving the strife in Syria.
"Russia awaits clarifications from Ankara about terrorists' crossing Turkish territory to reach Syria," Lavrov said, repeating Russian charges that Turkey provides facilities and support for Syrian armed opposition groups.
Meanwhile, Interfax reported that Lavrov would meet US Secretary of State John Kerry on sidelines of a scheduled Asean states' ministerial meeting due in Vientiane, Laos, next week.
Kerry, on July 14th, visited Moscow and held lengthy talks with the Russian leaders on means of finding a solution to the Syrian crisis. (end) as.rk