土耳其与俄罗斯举行会谈旨在缓解叙利亚紧张局势

Turkey, Russia Hold Talks, Ease Tensions Over Syria 土耳其与俄罗斯举行会谈旨在缓解叙利亚紧张局势

Russia and Turkey are taking steps to improve ties and work together in Syria after talks between the Russian and Turkish leaders.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.

Putin announced that Russia would begin easing sanctions designed to punish Turkey. The move would include restarting work on energy projects, such as work on Turkey’s first nuclear power center and a pipeline¹ from southern Russia to the Black Sea.

Russian officials said trade with Turkey could return to normal by the end of the year.

The Hurriyet Daily News reported that the two sides agreed to set up a direct telephone line between their militaries to prevent incidents in Syrian airspace.

Relations strained by downing of Russian bomber²

In November, Turkey shot down a Russian jet bomber near its border with Syria. Turkish officials accused the airplane of violating Turkish airspace.

Russia denied the plane had been over Turkey and called the act a planned provocation³ by supporters of terrorism.

Russian officials answered the Turkish move by ordering economic and diplomatic sanctions on its neighbor. In June, the Turkish president apologized for the incident, and the two sides agreed to hold direct talks.

Russia supports the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has supported groups trying to force him from power.

The two sides have been fighting in Syria for more than five years. The violence has caused more than 2.5 million refugees from Syria to enter Turkey.

Russia increased its involvement in the fighting last year by carrying out bombing raids on Syrian rebel targets.

Cooperation or compromise?

Some observers, however, are questioning how much Turkey and Russia can cooperate. They say the two sides have little common ground in Syria’s civil war.

Military expert Alexander Golts says, “I think until now they have no clear decision because it’s clear that their interests are colliding in Syria.” Golts currently works as a visiting researcher at Uppsula University in Sweden.

However, the talks between the two presidents could be a sign that Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants compromise on the issue of Syria. The meeting also could show Western allies that the Turkish leader has several options available to him.

Ishat Saetov directs the Modern Turkey Studies Center in Moscow. He said Erdogan was surprised by the effect Russian economic actions had on Turkey. The “loss of more than 4 million tourists made quite a blow on the economy,” he said.

The coup⁴ attempt partly changed relations

Although the two countries disagree about Syria, Russia supported Erdogan after members of Turkey’s military attempted to overthrow⁵ his government.

The United States and European countries have criticized Turkey’s reaction to the failed overthrow attempt. The Turkish government has arrested thousands of people, including many reporters.

Turkey accuses clergyman Fethullah Gulen of plotting the failed coup. Gulen lives in the American state of Pennsylvania. Turkish officials want him extradited to Turkey for trial. The U.S. government has refused to do this without evidence.

Turkey is also in disagreement with Europe over payments for accepting Syrian refugees and other migrants. The government wants the European Union to permit visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.

“Syria is one of the issues that Erdogan may trade upon,” said Saetov. He said Erdogan may be willing to negotiate on the issue.

Yet Turkish officials say Assad must leave office eventually and that Russia will not take the place of its western allies.

Words in This Story

sanctions – n. measures taken to punish a country for something it has done such as restrictions⁶ on trade or financial transactions

collide – v. the act of two things crashing into each other

options – n. two or more possibilities or opportunities to take action

coup – n. an attempt by a small group to take control of a country or large organization

extradite –v. to send someone to another country where they are charged with a crime for trial

provocation – n. an act meant to cause anger or a harsh reaction

1 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

2 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

3 provocation   

n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因

参考例句：

• He's got a fiery temper and flares up at the slightest provocation.他是火爆性子，一点就着。
• They did not react to this provocation.他们对这一挑衅未作反应。

4 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

5 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

6 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制