Turkey remains a strategic ally of Italy's inspite of its controversial military operation in northern Syria drive Syrian Kurdish forces back from its border, Italy's foreign minister Luigi Di Maio said on Thursday.
"Despite the unilateral action being carried out in Syrian territory which we utterly oppose, Turkey remains a strategic ally," Di Maio stated.
Di Maio was speaking at a joint press conference after talks at the foreign ministry in Rome with United Nations special envoy Geir Pedersen.
"Military force in this territory must never prevail over dialogue," Di Maio underlined.
UN resolution 2254 (unanimously adopted on 18 December 2015) reaffirms the Security Council's "strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria," Pedersen recalled.
Turkey began Operation Peace Spring on 9 October. The offensive has forced over 200,000 people from their homes amid civilian casualties and allegations of war crimes.
