G20 summit important for Syrian issue: Turkish Deputy PM

Ankara, Sep 3 (IANS/ITAR -TASS) The Syrian issue will be one of the most important items on the agenda of the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said Tuesday.

"Big world powers interested in this issue will meet at a G20 summit," he said.

"Our prime minister will also participate in the summit and plans to conduct some talks. Turkey's position and the country's principles are well known. I believe that meetings at the summit will be important," Atalay said.

The summit will be held in the Russian city Sep 5-6.

According to the deputy prime minister, the G20 leaders will also raise the problem of Syrian refugees and the need to fund aid programmes.

"Turkey had to make a massive spending for the purpose. We have spent about two billion Turkish liras ($1 billion) so far. We have not received sufficient financial support from the United Nations Organisation and the international community in this issue," Atalay said, noting that Ankara expects more active steps to this effect from the world community.

--IANS/ITAR-TASS

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