Support from Turkey's nationalist opposition is important to win the necessary majority for proposed changes to the constitution, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Tuesday. Speaking to members of his ruling AK Party at a meeting in parliament, Yildirim said the AKP had concluded its work on its proposals - which would create an executive presidency - and was ready to submit the package to parliament. Meanwhile, the head of the Turkish armed forces, General Hulusi Akar, was visiting Russia on Tuesday to discuss military cooperation and regional developments with his Russian counterpart, the Turkish military said in a statement. Russia and Turkey, a NATO member, are backing opposing sides in the Syrian conflict. In recent months they have been normalising ties that broke down a year ago when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane along its border with Syria. — Reuters
