Turkey has 'key role' against Daesh, UN chief tells Erdogan

NEW YORK

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed Turkey's role in fight against Daesh during a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to a statement by the world body.

Erdogan and Ban met Saturday on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

The two leaders discussed the situation in Syria, particularly in Aleppo, and Ban "emphasized the key role of Turkey in the fight against Da'esh", according to the statement that used the UN’s spelling for the terror group.

Turkey recently launched Operation Euphrates Shield against terror groups on its southern border that has already diminished a Daesh-held stretch of territory from 98 kilometers to 25.

The two leaders also discussed the status of negotiations for a political solution to the Syrian conflict and a recent UN-sponsored report on chemical weapons attacks in the war-torn country.

Ban also expressed UN "support and solidarity” for Turkey and its people following the July 15 defeated coup attempt in which 240 people were martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

The UN chief was "inspired by the strong commitment demonstrated by the Turkish people after these events, and stressed the importance to harness this energy and solidarity to build an even more solid foundation for future development and good governance in the country", the statement said.

Ban noted "the leading role that Turkey had played during its presidency of the G20 last year in Antalya," while expressing hope Turkey would soon be party to the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Erdogan is expected to meet U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin in one-on-one meetings during the summit. The concluding leaders summit will be held on Sept. 4-5.