MOSCOW – Russia, Turkey and Iran on Thursday agreed on several key directions of future interaction in the settlement of the Syrian crisis after a trilateral summit of their presidents in the Russian city of Sochi.
“It is very important that our three countries intend to strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Astana process, which proved its necessity,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference, following “constructive and businesslike” talks with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts.
“We will continue to enhance our efforts in fighting terrorism, promoting intra-Syrian dialogue and improving the humanitarian situation in Syria,” he said.
In particular, the presidents agreed to continue the efforts to eradicate militants in Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province and to take additional steps in finally eliminating the tension and reaching stabilisation in this region.
Meanwhile, the three countries will help Syria establish a committee to carry out constitutional reforms in the country, Putin said.
“We have agreed to contribute by joint efforts to the most rapid start of work of the constitutional committee, which is to work on the fundamental aspects of the future state system of Syria,” he said.
It is necessary to approve the list of participants of the committee, most of which have already been agreed on with the Syrian government and the opposition, and elaborate regulations for the main parameters of its functioning, Putin added.
Russia, Turkey and Iran are guarantors of a ceasefire deal in Syria and have been mediating a peace process for the Syrian crisis since 2016.
Putin said the three guarantor countries have helped to create favourable conditions for Syria’s transition to peaceful development.
“We are convinced that a durable stability in Syria can only be reached by political and diplomatic methods in accordance with the resolution 2254 of the UN Security Council and with strict observation of principles of unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country,” he said.
The three presidents also discussed the further development of the situation in Syria after the United States announcement of plans to withdraw its troops from Syria’s northeastern regions.
On US plan to completely withdraw its troops from Syria, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said it would be “good news” for local population if the US completely withdraws its troops from the country and other countries in the region.
Therefore, he urged Washington to revise its Middle East policy, which is currently exerting negative influence on countries in the region.
“In the past 20 years, America has constantly played a destructive role in our region: in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Syria, and today in Yemen…What we want or hope is that the US will reconsider its policy towards the region,” Rouhani said.
Speaking at the press conference, Turkish President Recep Erdogan reaffirmed the importance of resolving the situation in Idlib.
“We do not want new tragedies, new humanitarian crises in Syria, or in other regions, or in Idlib…We will continue to do everything possible to implement the Idlib memorandum,” he said.
Erdogan stressed that Turkey will coordinate actions with Russia and Iran in the process of the US troops pullout while taking into account of Syria’s territorial integrity and eliminating the threats of terrorism, especially on the border areas.
-BERNAMA
