Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed with Iranian, Syrian and Turkish Defense Ministers Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Ali Mahmoud Abbas and Hulusi Akar in Moscow the strengthening of security in Syria and counterterrorism. The Russian defense ministry reported this on Tuesday.
"The defense ministers of the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Turkey held four-party talks in Moscow on April 25. The meeting addressed practical steps to strengthen security in the Syrian Arab Republic and normalize Syrian-Turkish relations," the ministry said.
They noted that during the talks special attention was paid to combating terrorist threats and fighting against all extremist groups in Syria.
At the end of the talks, the sides reaffirmed their desire to preserve Syria's territorial integrity and the need to intensify efforts for the speedy return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.
"The heads of defense ministries especially stressed the constructive nature of the dialogue held in this format and the need to continue it in the interests of further stabilization of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic and the region as a whole," the Russian defense ministry added.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS