Opportunists Court Russia over Syria like Sharks swimming in bloody water

Erdogan to visit Russia next week
12 July, 2012 – Al Akhbar

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan leaves for Russia next Wednesday to discuss the developments in Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin, his office announced Thursday.

“Significant regional and international developments led by Syria are on the table to be discussed thoroughly,” during Erdogan’s visit, the written statement said.

The talks are a new link in the chain of effective dialogue at the highest level between Turkey and Russia, the statement added.

Ankara and Moscow remain at odds regarding the armed conflict between President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the opposition that has claimed thousands of lives since mid-March last year.

Erdogan’s one-day visit comes after Ankara clashed with Damascus over the downing of a Turkish warplane on June 22 by Syrian fire over the Mediterranean and the death of its two crew.

Turkey viewed the incident as a hostile act and has taken steps to fortify its border with Syria, while Russian media outlets, citing unnamed Russian officials, placed the blame on the “provocative” Turkish fighter, which illegally entered Syrian airspace.

Turkey, a one-time ally of Damascus, has actively supported Syrian rebels, including providing them sanctuary on Turkish soil. Moscow has previously criticized foreign powers arming rebel groups as undermining peace efforts.

Turkey shelters more than 37,000 refugees on its side of the border with Syria, where rebel forces made up of Syrian army defectors are also based. …source