Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 world news
Friday 29 September 2017

Beyond Brexit: Russia’s Putin
visits Turkey as
UK seeks renewed security cooperation with EU relation grows

By RAF CASERT By SUZAN FRASER
Associated Press Associated Press
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Brit- ANKARA, Turkey (AP) —
ish Prime Minister Theresa Russian President Vladi-
May is extending a hand mir Putin visited Turkey on
of cooperation to the other Thursday for talks with Presi-
27 European Union leaders, dent Recep Tayyip Erdo-
proposing a “new secu- gan that focused on the
rity partnership” intended situation in Iraq and Syria
to survive the divorce pro- along with bilateral trade.
ceedings preceding her Putin’s visit came as Tur-
country’s departure from key and Russia are work-
the bloc. ing to deepen ties in a
May offered the prospect turnaround for the two na-
of a post-Brexit security tions, which have backed
partnership as EU leaders opposing sides in Syria and
were gathered Thursday nearly came to blows over
for a two-day meeting in Turkey’s downing of a Rus-
Estonia and Brexit negotia- sian plane in 2015.
tions were gathering speed The two leaders showered
following months of inac- one another with praise in
tion and barely concealed French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, and Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, statements after their talks
quarrels. right, attend an informal dinner ahead of an EU Digital Summit in Tallinn, Estonia on Thursday, Sept. in Ankara, hailing a deal to
“With the largest defense 28, 2017. The European Union will be looking beyond the impending breakup with Britain at how to de-escalate fighting in Syr-
budget in Europe, a far- build a common future at 27 during their two-day summit meeting starting late Thursday. ia. Moscow sides with Syr-
reaching diplomatic net- (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool) ian President Bashar Assad
work, world-class security, Even though Britain plans to EU nations are planning to details,” Merkel said. while Turkey has support-
intelligence and law en- leave the EU by March 29, build an independent fu- French President Emmanu- ed his foes since the start
forcement services, and 2019, May said it cherishes ture without its long-recal- el Macron and EU Commis- of the Syrian civil war six
our position at the heart of a strong diplomatic and citrant member. sion President Jean-Claude years ago. But Russia and
NATO, the U.K.’s role in Eu- security bond among Eu- Germany and France are Juncker set out their visions Turkey, together with Iran,
rope’s defense has never ropean nations, as already in sync on what it will take for the bloc’s future in re- are now working on setting
been more vital,” May said exemplified in the NATO to strengthen the EU and cent days with keynote up de-escalation zones in
in a statement issued by defense alliance. German Chancellor Ange- speeches on reforming the Syria that are credited with
her office on Thursday. . “We will continue to work la Merkel said earlier Thurs- EU to bind it more closely having helped reduce the
“As we prepare for Brexit, I with our NATO allies, our Eu- day. together. fighting. Erdogan said they
want to build a bold, new ropean neighbors and the “As far as the proposals In the past, that idea often focused on the specifics of
security partnership with EU, to support a future part- are concerned, there is a was held back by a half- securing a de-escalation
the EU. A partnership that nership of unprecedented high degree of agreement hearted Britain. zone in Syria’s northern
reflects our shared history, breadth and depth,” May between Germany and Brexit has provided a new province of Idlib on the
promotes our common val- said. France, but of course we impetus for the others to border with Turkey, em-
ues,” she said. At the same time, the other still have to talk about the move ahead. q phasizing the shared politi-
cal will to contribute to the
Syrian political settlement.
Catalans: Putin, for his part, hailed

Secession vote to happen, they hope peacefully “our friend, President Erdo-
gan” for helping make the
de-escalation deal pos-
MADRID (AP) — Authorities clear: people will be able He insisted, however, Barcelona Mayor Ada Co- sible, adding that it would
in Catalonia intend to en- to vote,” Forn told reporters that the Catalan police lau also urged the EU to allow to halt fighting and
sure that a disputed refer- in Barcelona, the main city force called the Mossos safeguard “fundamental create conditions for the
endum on independence in Catalonia. d’Esquadra must take their rights and freedoms in Cat- return of refugees to their
from Spain will take place Forn met with regional and orders from local authori- alonia” by mediating the homes.
peacefully on Sunday de- national security officials to ties. The force’s loyalty has standoff between Catalan “I consider these agree-
spite a crackdown on the defuse mounting tensions been torn between the officials and national offi- ments our common, ex-
vote by the national gov- ahead of the ballot. In re- central and regional gov- cials in Madrid before Sun- tremely important suc-
ernment, the region’s inte- cent weeks, Spain’s Consti- ernments. day’s planned vote. cess,” Putin said. “The
rior chief said Thursday. tutional Court has ordered Earlier Thursday, Cata- An international media necessary conditions have
Minister Joaquin Forn said the ballot to be suspended lonia’s foreign affairs chief, watchdog, meanwhile, been created for putting
that Catalan officials are and police have confiscat- Raul Romeva, called for rebuked the Catalan pro- an end to the fratricidal
determined to proceed ed ballot papers and post- the European Union to sup- independence movement war in Syria, completely
with Sunday’s vote for the ers for it. port the referendum, echo- for placing undue pressure destroying terrorists and al-
region of 7.5 million people The Spanish Constitution re- ing an appeal by Catalan on journalists to present its lowing Syrians to return to
in northeastern Spain even fers in Article 2 to “the indis- regional President Carles side of the dispute. Report- peaceful life.”
though the central govern- soluble unity of the Spanish Puigdemont. ers Without Borders said The Syria deal helped
ment in Madrid says refer- nation.” Puigdemont has accused the regional government’s warm up ties and restore
endum is illegal and can’t The central government is the EU of “turning its back” push to impose its side of bilateral trade and the flow
happen. deploying 10,000 police of- on Catalonia in its conflict the story in local, Spanish of Russian tourists to Turkey,
“The (Catalan) govern- ficers in Catalonia for the with Spain’s central gov- and international media halted in the wake of the
ment’s commitment is very ballot, Forn told reporters. ernment. has “crossed red lines.”q 2015 plane incident. q