(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ANKARA, Sept 10 (KUNA) -- Turkey cannot bear a new influx of migrants from Syria, Turkish president said on Tuesday.
"We expect from the US to stand with us in our efforts on fighting terrorism and on establishing safe zones for migrants," Erdogan said at a reception, which was held as part of US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross' visit to Turkey.
On Aug. 7, Turkish and US military officials agreed to set up a safe zone in northern Syria and develop a peace corridor to facilitate the movement of displaced Syrians who want to return home.
They also agreed to establish a joint operations center.
The agreement also envisaged setting up necessary security measures to address Turkey's security concerns, including clearing the zone of the terrorist YPG/PKK, a group the US has sometimes been allied with.
Speaking about bilateral trade with the US, Turkish president said he discussed with his US counterpart Donald Trump on initiating negotiations on free trade agreement, adding related ministers from both countries would start working on it soon.
Meanwhile, earlier Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu accused the US of not keeping its promises in northern Syria due to its engagement with the PKK/YPG terror group.
Cavusoglu's remarks came at a joint press conference with his visiting Montenegrin counterpart Srdjan Darmanovic.
The first steps taken for a safe zone in northern Syria with the US, including establishment of a joint operations center was "a good start," Cavusoglu said.
Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey was clear about the warnings.
"Why did we need these warnings? Because, unfortunately the US has failed to keep its promise, including Manbij roadmap, due to its engagement with this [PKK/YPG] terrorist organization, and has neglected this roadmap."
Cavusoglu described the US position in the east of Euphrates River as "cosmetic".
"The steps taken or said to have been taken are cosmetic steps," he said. (end)
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