President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US Vice President Mike Pence met at the Presidency in Ankara today (October 17).

 

After the meeting ended, US President Donald Trump has announced that Turkey and the US have agreed to a ceasefire in Syria.

 

Trump has tweeted, This is a great day for civilization. I am proud of the United States for sticking by me in following a necessary, but somewhat unconventional, path. People have been trying to make this "Deal" for many years. Millions of lives will be saved. Congratulations to ALL!"

 

PENCE: WE HAVE AGREED TO CEASEFIRE

 

After the meeting, US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have held a statement for the press at the US Embassy.

 

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Mike Pence has stated, "Turkey's Operation Peace Spring will pause for 120 hours" and added that within this period, "the US will facilitate the withdrawal of the YPG from the safe zone. And, the operation will stop after that".

 

ÇAVUŞOĞLU: NOT A CEASEFIRE BUT A PAUSE

 

Speaking shortly after Pence, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said that "pause of Turkey's operation in Syria is not a ceasefire, ceasefire can only happen between two legitimate sides".

 

Çavuşoğlu has stated the following in brief:

 

"We have got what we wanted. The US side has accepted the legitimacy of our operation.

 

"We [Turkey and the US] have agreed on collecting heavy weapons of YPG, destructing their positions and fortifications.

 

"We will pause Operation Peace Spring so that PKK/YPG leave in 120 hours, it is not a ceasefire. Ceasefire only happen between two legitimate sides.

 

"We will end the operation only after YPG elements leave."