The relationship between Turkey and Russia, the crisis in Syria and the fight against terrorism will be high on the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the presidents of the two countries, a Turkish official has said.

For Turkey, Russia is a partner in finding a way out of the Syrian crisis, Ibrahim Kalin, a spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said in an exclusive interview with TASS on Thursday.

Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet in St Petersburg on August 9.

"We have always sought opportunities for cooperation with Russia on the issue," Kalin told the Russian news agency.

"We want to look into the future with hope and would like to ensure the political transition in Syria at an early date in cooperation with Russia."

Ibrahim Kalin noted that the Syrian crisis remains one of the greatest threats to both the region and the global security and stability.

Turkey’s primary objective is to put an end to the fighting in Syria “without delay and on a permanent basis” because all the negative aspects of the Syrian conflict are immediately felt in the neighbouring country, Kalin said.

Ankara will continue to insist that a lasting peace cannot be achieved in Syria as long as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad remains in power, the Turkish presidential spokesman added.

Kalin also said in the interview that it is in the interests of both Turkey and Russia that “an inclusive, pluralistic, democratically legitimate political system recognized by all Syrians” was created in the Arab country.