Turkey has key role in Islamic State struggle

Turkey, as a NATO member, is an important regional player with the potential to contribute towards mitigating tension in its broader neighbourhood, particularly when it comes to the conflict in Syria and the international struggle against Islamic State (IS), said Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák during a two-day visit to Turkey (10.12-11.12). "Turkey is a key player in the global fight against IS, in efforts aimed at restricting the funding of terrorism, stopping arms and ammunition supplies and halting the recruitment and transit of foreign fighters to Syria and Iraq," noted Lajčák. Turkey shares a 1,200-kilometre border with Syria and Iraq, countries that have seen large parts of their territory occupied by the radical entity calling itself Islamic State. Nevertheless, Turkey refuses to engage in military action against Islamic State, claiming that the air strikes led by the USA alone won't bring lasting stability. Turkey claims that in order to be more active in the fight against IS; the USA and its allies have to focus more on toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and less on attempting to eliminate Islamic State.