In a joint statement following the 21st international meeting on Syria in the Astana format, Russia, Iran, and Turkey underscored the crucial role of the Astana process in advancing a sustainable resolution to the Syrian crisis. Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev read the statement, highlighting key points:
1. Leading Role of Astana Process: The countries in the Astana format emphasized the Astana process's leading role in promoting a lasting settlement for the Syrian crisis, considering the evolving global and regional situations.
2. Condemnation of Israeli Military Attacks: The statement condemned all Israeli military attacks in Syria, deeming such actions a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.
3. Efforts for Turkey-Syria Relations: The nations stressed the importance of efforts to restore relations between Turkey and Syria based on mutual respect, goodwill, and good-neighborliness. The goal is to combat terrorism, facilitate the safe return of Syrians, activate the political process, and ensure the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid.
4. Syrian Constitutional Committee: Emphasis was placed on the crucial role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, created with the significant input of Astana format guarantor countries, in advancing the political settlement of the Syrian conflict. The countries called for the early resumption of its activities and the 9th session of its drafting commission with a constructive approach by the Syrian parties.
5. Support for the Idlib De-escalation Zone: The statement addressed the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone, emphasizing the need to maintain calm on the ground through the full implementation of existing agreements, while expressing concern about the presence and activities of terrorist groups.
6. Humanitarian Concerns in Gaza: The nations expressed deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, calling for an end to Israel's actions against Palestinians and the implementation of a General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire and compliance with international law.
7. Preventing Armed Confrontation Expansion: The importance of preventing the expansion of armed confrontation zones and the involvement of other states in the region was highlighted.
8. Commitment to Summit Meetings: Reference was made to the agreement in the final statement of the trilateral summit in July 2022 to organize a summit meeting in the Russian Federation.
9. Future Meetings: The countries agreed to convene the 22nd international meeting on Syria in Astana in the second half of 2024.
In June 2023, during the 20th meeting, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry proposed concluding the negotiations on Syria in Astana, citing the success of the Astana process in fulfilling its objectives. This proposal was linked explicitly to Ankara's expressed desire to restore relations with Damascus and the prospect of Syria rejoining the Arab League. Despite this suggestion, the Kazakh authorities, as stated by the country's Foreign Ministry, opted to convene a new, 21st meeting. This decision was made "in accordance with the collective appeal of the guarantor countries" of the Astana format—namely, Russia, Iran, and Turkey.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS