Erdogan to visit Syria for security talks

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Syria today for talks expected to focus on regional cooperation against the terrorist PKK, before proceeding tomorrow to flood-stricken Pakistan. Although the latter visit was expected, Erdogan's Syrian visit – during which he will be accompanied by Interior Minister Besir Atalay – came as a surprise, only being announced on Saturday. Erdogan's visit was arranged following an Oct. 3 meeting of top Syrian and Turkish officials, during which the two countries pledged to stop any attempts to hamper strategic cooperation in the Middle Eas, including PKK activities. In related news, the government is continuing to seek support from EU member countries for its fight against the PKK. On Saturday Erdogan had talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. Turkey and Germany will cooperate closely in combating terrorism, and the countries' two interior ministries have founded a commission for this purpose, Merkel told a joint press conference following talks with Erdogan.