The diplomatic settlement of the Syrian issue has become possible thanks to the efforts of Iran and Russia. Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hossein Amir Abdollahian said this on Wednesday upon his arrival in Moscow to participate in a four-party meeting of Iranian, Russian, Syrian and Turkish foreign ministers.
"Diplomatic efforts by Tehran and Moscow to prevent military clashes [on the Syrian-Turkish border] allowed the negotiation process to begin. At the Astana format meeting in Tehran last year, participants stressed the need for a political settlement of the contradictions between Turkey and Syria," Abdollahian said in an interview with Tasnim News Agency.
He also expressed hope that the talks in Moscow would lead to the return of Syrian refugees and the withdrawal of US troops from Syria.
The process of normalization of relations between Ankara and Damascus was launched in Moscow on December 28, 2022, when consultations between the heads of military departments of Russia, Syria and Turkey took place. At the meeting, it was agreed to establish a joint trilateral commission. These consultations were followed by a meeting at the level of foreign ministers to prepare for talks between Turkish and Syrian Presidents Tayyip Erdogan and Bashar al-Assad. Later, it was reported that Iran would take part in the consultations at the level of foreign ministers.
On May 3, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that a four-party meeting of foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Syria and Turkey could take place on May 10 in Moscow.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS