Turkey's Cavusoglu: Syria ceasefires keep refugee pressure off Europe

Ankara (dpa) - Turkeylsquo;s work with Russia and Iran to create ceasefires in Syria has drastically improved the situation in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says, warning that a breakdown of the deals would put more pressure on Europe."I am hoping we can consolidate the ceasefires. I am quite optimistic. The situation in Syria on the ground is much better than it was last year. You cannot even compare," Cavusoglu told dpa in an interview in Ankara.  "Of course, if the war starts again in Syria, more refugees will be received in Turkey and more pressure will be on Europe," he added. The work with Russia on Syria was taking place despite serious differences Cavusoglu said. Moscow is a staunch backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey backs the opposition. "For us, Assad cannot unite Syria. For us, such a regime should not stay even for the transition. This is our position. He should step down."He called on Russia and Iran, as the guarantors of the Syrian government in the Astana process - named after the Kazakh capital where the ceasefire talks take place - to ensure civilians are not targeted. "They shouldnlsquo;t bomb hospitals, schools or civilians to eliminate anyone they call a terrorist."