“There has been an acceleration when compared to the past... In particular, the U.S. administration and Secretary of State [Mike] Pompeo are asking for immediate implementation of this [roadmap]” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu members of the Turkish press in Washington DC on Feb. 6.

Despite the progress, however, Cavusoglu said the roadmap “must be fully and immediately implemented”, holding the U.S. responsible for the slowdown in the roadmap.

On a possible safe zone in northern Syria, Cavusoglu said concrete ideas have yet to emerge on the issue and Turkey has been holding talks with Russia and working to coordinate with the U.S.

“It is important what we understand about a ‘safe zone’. That is, if a buffer zone that will safeguard terrorists is envisaged or desired, we are against that,” Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency quoted Cavusoglu as saying.

Turkey is aware that some countries had financially encouraged radical groups in Syria to breach an agreement signed by Ankara and Moscow last year to establish a demilitarized zone in the country’s last opposition stronghold of Idlib, he added.

Turkish Foreign Minister also said Ankara and Washington were carrying out joint efforts regarding the U.S. withdrawal of troops from Syria and Turkey’s security concerns.

A joint mission force has been formed between Ankara and Washington to coordinate the latter’s pullout from the war-torn country, he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasized to the coalition the U.S. will also continue to work toward stability in Iraq and Syria.

“President Trump’s announcement that U.S. troops will be withdrawing from Syria is not the end of America’s fight. We will continue to wage alongside of you,” he told coalition members. “It simply represents a new stage in an old fight.”

Reporter’s code: 50101