TEHRAN (FNA)- Turkish top diplomat said on Thursday that Moscow and Tehran are playing vital roles in resolving the Syrian conflict.

“Achieving a lasting resolution of the crisis in Syria without Russia and Iran would be impossible, Ankara will cooperate with them on these issues, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Sputnik reported.

"We have repeatedly stated, even in the period of crisis in our relations, that it would be impossible to achieve a lasting resolution in Syria without Russia’s participation. We continue to insist on this. The same can be said about Iran, with which we are negotiating at the moment as well and aim to strengthen cooperation in this sphere," Cavusoglu said.

The minister expressed confidence that the Syrian issue would be resolved through cooperation.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous terroritst groups.

A US-Russia-brokered ceasefire came into force across Syria on February 27. It does not apply to terrorist groups such as ISIL and Fatah al-Sham Front, both outlawed in many countries, including Russia.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey will consider military-technical cooperation with Russia if Moscow were interested, as its NATO partners seem to be shying away from such cooperation

Turkish Foreign Minister told Sputnik Turkey is ready to develop its own defense industry and is willing to consider Russia's cooperation in the field.

"It seems to us that NATO members behave in an evasive fashion in issues such as exchange of technology and joint investments. Turkey intends to develop its own defense industry and strengthen its defense system. In this sense, if Russia were to treat this with interest, we are ready to consider the possibility of cooperation in this sector," Cavusoglu said when asked about the possibilities of coopeating with Russia in the defense sphere.

By Fars News Agency