Russia and Turkey intend to establish a joint working group to resolve the situation in Libya. This was stated in a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the two countries after consultations in Ankara. Its text is posted on the website of the Russian diplomatic mission.
"We have agreed <...> to consider the establishment of a joint working group on Libya and hold the next round of consultations in Moscow in the near future," the document says.
The parties also reaffirmed their continued commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Libya, noting the need to fight against terrorists and terrorist groups. "We reaffirm our commitment to continue bilateral cooperation in order to achieve security and stability in the country, as well as improve the humanitarian situation," the statement stresses.
Moscow and Ankara are also confident that the conflict in Libya has no military solution and can only be resolved through a political process "led and implemented by the Libyans themselves with the assistance of the UN". "It was agreed <...> to continue joint efforts, including influencing the Libyan parties, to create conditions for a long-term and sustainable ceasefire in Libya," the document says.
In addition, as a result of consultations, the representatives of the Russian Federation and Turkey agreed to promote the inter-Libyan political dialogue in accordance with the results of the Berlin conference held in January this year.
On Interagency Consultations
The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Moscow and Ankara held interdepartmental consultations on the settlement in Libya on July 21-22 in the Turkish capital.
"Various aspects of the Middle East problems were discussed in detail with an emphasis on the tasks of an early cessation of hostilities and ensuring a long-term settlement in Libya," said the Russian diplomatic mission.
On the Russian side, the consultations were attended by the delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, as well as representatives of the Defense Ministry, while on the Turkish side - the leadership of various agencies headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.
For several years, Libya has had two parallel executive bodies - the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Faiz Sarraj in Tripoli and a temporary cabinet in the east of the country supported by the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. In spring 2019, Haftar launched an offensive in Tripoli, and the GNA requested support from Turkey.
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Based on materials from TASS