Qatar and Turkey have stressed the importance of providing urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, which is hindered by the West's illegitimate unilateral sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday at a joint press conference with Turkish and Qatari Foreign Ministers Mevlut Cavusoglu and Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani.
"We emphasized the importance of providing urgent humanitarian assistance to Syrians, including combating the effects of the coronavirus infection, as well as helping to rebuild civilian infrastructure destroyed during the war. It is clear that these urgent tasks are hampered by the West's illegitimate unilateral sanctions, which have been imposed against the legitimate authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic and, by and large, against the entire Syrian people," he said.
According to Lavrov, the Ministers also expressed unanimity that the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria must be respected in all the actions of their countries and the actions of other international players.
The Russian Foreign Minister also pointed out that the common goals of the three countries were reflected in the joint ministerial statement. "It confirmed the determination to fight terrorism in all its forms and appearances, to counter the implementation of separatist plans that undermine the territorial integrity of Syria and threaten the national security of neighboring countries," he said.
"Russia, Turkey and Qatar have also expressed their intention to take an active part in international efforts to ensure the safe voluntary return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of permanent residence," said the head of the Russian diplomatic mission.
Lavrov continued, emphasizing the general intent to support initiatives aimed at building confidence between the Syrian sides, including the release of detainees.
Astana format
According to Lavrov, trilateral consultations between Russia, Qatar and Turkey on the Syrian settlement do not replace the work in the Astana format but only complement it.
"This format [Russia - Qatar - Turkey] has existed for more than a year. Our representatives have held at least three meetings to exchange views on how to help resolve the Syrian crisis in accordance with resolution 2254 [of the UN Security Council]. And, of course, it does not replace the Astana format in any way, it complements it," the head of the Russian diplomatic mission said.
Lavrov stressed that the Astana format created a basis for Resolution 2254 through the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi and contributed to all the efforts that are currently being made to overcome the crisis in Syria.
"I can only welcome Qatar's willingness to contribute to creating the conditions to overcome the current tragic situation in the Syrian Arab Republic. <...> Of course, we will welcome the role that Qatar is interested in playing. It is a manifestation of a natural desire to help a brotherly Arab country," the Minister said.
He said there was no talk of joint patrols in Syria outside the framework of Russia and Turkey's previous agreements on Idlib. Lavrov added that he had discussed the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone with Turkey's Foreign Minister in Doha. "We also talked about this today, yesterday we had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Cavusoglu where all these issues were discussed," the Minister concluded.
According to Lavrov, Russia, Qatar and Turkey have agreed to continue coordinating efforts to achieve a solution to the situation in Syria, this will be handled by special representatives of the three countries.
"We have agreed that the direct coordination of our further joint efforts to achieve common goals, as outlined in the statement, will be handled by our special representatives. And periodically we will hold other meetings at the ministerial level," he said.
According to the Minister, the trilateral contacts would be a very useful addition to the work of Russia, Turkey and Iran within the framework of the Astana format.
Syria's return to the Arab League
Lavrov believes that Syria's return to the Arab League will help stabilize the entire region.
"I can only welcome the progress in forming a collective Arab opinion on the need for Syria to return to the Arab League. I believe it will be a consolidated decision, [it] will play a positive role in the stabilization of this whole big region, just as the recent restoration of unity of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council has also played a very positive role in this," Lavrov said. - "We are always in favor of uniting efforts, not dividing them."
Syria's membership in the Arab League was suspended in November 2011 amid intensified armed conflict in the country.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS