Erdogan: "We can have talks with Assad when the time comes"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a press conference in Czech capital on Thursday that Turkey is indispensable in the context of confronting challenges faced by the European Union and redefining the global role to be played by EU.

As Erdogan expressed optimism on relations with Armenia at the conference, held on the sidelines of the first European Political Community summit, he said: 

"We want to warm up trilateral relations between Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and resolve issues as soon as possible."

He stated that he sincerely believed a full normalization in the region can be achieved on the basis of good neighborhood, and added that some demands have been brought up by Yerevan in his recent meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Prague. He said that steps will be taken in accordance with the results of further talks between diplomatic representatives of the sides.

On the prospect of relations with Syria, Erdogan said:

"We can have talks with the Syrian President when the time comes. For the being we are having some contacts on lower levels."

While he repeated his threat against Greece of "coming suddenly one night," he said:

"It is not only Greece. Our response to any country who will attack us is, 'we can suddenly come one night.' Everybody should beware."

He earlier made the "coming suddenly one night" remark upon allegations by Turkish authorities that a Greek missile system in the island of Crete locked its radar on to Turkish fighter jets.

On Turkey's stance over accession of Sweden to NATO, regarding a trilateral deal that ensures Ankara's green light in return for Sweden's assurance to prosecute and extradite Kurdish political activists alleged to be affiliated with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Erdogan said:

"While terrorist groups continue to hold marches in Sweden and as long as terrorists serve as deputies in their parliament, we will not be positive towards Sweden."