Russia, Iran and Turkey have confirmed their intention to hold a summit in the Astana format as soon as conditions allow. This was stated in their joint statement at the end of the 17th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format.
"[The sides] reiterated the agreement in the final statement of the July 1, 2020, summit to hold the next trilateral summit in the Islamic Republic of Iran as soon as conditions allow," the statement reads.
Besides, the sides confirmed their intention to organize another ministerial meeting in the Astana format as well as to hold the 18th international meeting on Syria in Nur-Sultan in the first half of 2022 taking into consideration the sanitary and epidemiological situation.
Fighting terrorism
The Russian Federation, Iran and Turkey have condemned the increase in terrorist activity in various parts of Syria that is causing civilian casualties, including attacks on civilian infrastructure. In this regard, the guarantor countries of the Astana format reiterated the need for cooperation in order to permanently eliminate all terrorist groups in the country.
The sides also discussed in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone and agreed to make further efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in and around it. The need to maintain calm on the ground through full implementation of all existing agreements on Idlib was stressed.
"Expressed serious concern about the increased presence and terrorist activity of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (one of the names of the outlawed in Russia organization Jabhat al-Nusra) and other affiliated terrorist organizations recognized as such by the UN Security Council, which threaten civilians inside and outside the Idlib de-escalation zone," the guarantor countries pointed out.
The humanitarian situation in Syria
Russia, Iran and Turkey rejected unilateral sanctions against Syria and also expressed serious concern about the humanitarian situation and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which is complicating the socio-economic situation in the country. "In order to support the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Syria and progress in the political settlement process, called on the international community, the UN and its humanitarian agencies to step up assistance to Syria through early recovery and resilience projects, including the reconstruction of basic infrastructure - water and electricity supply facilities, schools, hospitals, as well as on humanitarian demining in accordance with international humanitarian law," the guarantor countries of the Astana format pointed out.
As noted in a joint statement, the parties also condemned the ongoing Israeli military attacks in Syria, which "violate international law and international humanitarian law, the sovereignty of Syria and neighboring countries, threatening stability and security in the region, and called for their termination." "Emphasized that Israel's use of civilian aircraft as a cover for aggression on Syrian territory is a gross violation of international rules and endangers the lives of civilians," the document said.
Geneva agenda
The guarantor countries stressed the important role of the Syrian constitutional committee in Geneva and expressed their determination to support it through interaction between Syrian parties and UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. "Noted the convening of the sixth meeting of the drafting commission of the Syrian constitutional committee in Geneva on October 18-22 and called for an early seventh meeting with a constructive approach of the Syrian parties," the statement said.
"Expressed the conviction that in its work, the committee should respect the terms of reference and basic rules of procedure so that the committee can carry out its mandate to prepare and develop constitutional reform, subject to popular approval, and make progress in its activities, guided by the desire for compromise and constructive engagement without foreign interference and imposition of terms from outside to achieve the common agreement of its members," the guarantor countries said.
Return of refugees
The parties also stressed the need to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their places of residence in Syria, their right of return and their right to support. "In this regard, [they] called on the international community to provide the necessary assistance to Syrian refugees and IDPs and reaffirmed their readiness to continue cooperation with all relevant parties, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees and other specialized international organizations," the document noted.
The Russian Federation, Iran and Turkey welcomed the December 16, 2021, exchange of prisoners between the parties and noted that the operation confirmed the determination of the guarantor countries to intensify and expand interaction within the working group. "[The parties] agreed on the need to scale up future operations for the release of detainees, as well as to expand the work of the working group by addressing the transfer of the bodies of the dead and the identification of the missing," the statement said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS