Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed to continue cooperation in order to finally eliminate the terrorists of the banned groups "Islamic State" (IS) and "Jabhat al-Nusra" in Syria.
"We once again expressed our determination to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to resist separatist plans aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threatening the national security of neighboring countries. < ... > We agreed to continue cooperation in order to finally eliminate ISIS (former name of IGIL - ed. TASS), "Jabhat al-Nusra" and all other individuals, groups, enterprises and organizations associated with " Al-Qaeda "(banned in the Russian Federation - ed. TASS) or ISIS and other terrorist groups recognized as such by the UN Security Council, while ensuring the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with international humanitarian law," Russia, Iran and Turkey said in a joint statement following the 15th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format.
The sides noted and condemned the increase in terrorist activity in various parts of Syria, which leads to civilian casualties. In addition, the Russian Federation, Turkey and Iran stressed the need for full implementation of all agreements on the Syrian Idlib. "The parties considered in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone and stressed the need to maintain calm on the ground by fully implementing all existing agreements on Idlib," the text says.
The three countries also expressed serious concern about the increased activity of the banned terrorist group "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham: and other related organizations that "threaten civilians inside the Idlib de-escalation zone and beyond."
Idlib is the only region of Syria, most of which is controlled by the armed formations of the Syrian opposition and the terrorist group "Jabhat al-Nusra". In 2017, the northern de-escalation zone was created there, where militants with families who refused to voluntarily lay down their weapons moved from other regions of the country.
Territorial integrity
Russia, Turkey, and Iran have reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.
"We reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and stressed that these principles are subject to universal observance and respect," the document says.
Russia, Turkey, and Iran also expressed their conviction that the Syrian conflict has no military solution, and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a viable and long-term political process led and implemented by the Syrians themselves with the assistance of the United Nations in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Israeli attacks in Syria
Russia, Iran and Turkey also condemned the ongoing military attacks by the Israeli army in Syria.
"The parties condemned the ongoing Israeli military attacks in Syria, which violate international law and international humanitarian law, undermine the sovereignty of Syria and neighboring countries, and threaten stability and security in the region, and called for their cessation," the statement said.
On January 23, the Syrian Foreign Ministry sent a message to the UN Security Council, which indicated that the Israeli Air Force had attacked Syria more than 50 times last year.
Syrian oil
Moscow, Ankara and Tehran condemn the illegal seizure and transfer of proceeds from the sale of Syrian oil.
"[The parties] once again expressed their rejection of the illegal seizure and transfer of oil revenues that should belong to the Syrian Arab Republic," the document says.
The participants of the meeting also discussed the situation in the north-east of Syria and agreed that "achieving long-term security and stability in this region is possible only on the basis of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country." "[The parties] rejected all attempts to create new realities 'on the ground', including illegal self-government initiatives under the pretext of fighting terrorism, and expressed their determination to resist separatist plans in the Trans-Euphrates region aimed at undermining the unity of Syria and threatening the national security of neighboring countries."
In this regard, Russia, Iran and Turkey expressed concern about the intensification of hostilities directed against the civilian population.
Constitutional Committee of Syria
Russia, Turkey and Iran have spoken out against foreign interference in the work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and the imposition of external deadlines for the completion of its work.
"Representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey as the guarantor countries of the Astana format are convinced that the Committee's work should be guided by the desire for compromise and constructive cooperation without foreign interference and imposing deadlines from outside in order to achieve a common agreement among its members," Russia, Iran and Turkey said in a joint statement following the 15th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format.
The guarantor countries of the Astana format discussed in detail the fifth meeting of the Constitutional Committee, held in Geneva on January 25-29. The Russian Federation, Iran and Turkey stressed the important role of the Committee and expressed their determination to support its work, constantly interacting with the Syrian parties, members of the Constitutional Committee and the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen. "[The parties] stressed the importance of adhering to the terms of reference and the basic rules of procedure so that the Committee can carry out its mandate to prepare and develop a constitutional reform subject to popular approval and make progress in its activities," the document says.
The Syrian Constitutional Committee, formed in accordance with the resolution adopted on January 31, 2018, in Sochi by the Congress of the Syrian National Dialogue, consists of 150 people (50 delegates each from Damascus, the opposition and civil society). The small group of the committee includes 45 people (15 delegates from each of the three segments). This body is called upon to make recommendations on amendments to the basic law of the republic, after which general elections will be held in Syria under the auspices of the United Nations.
Next meeting
The next international meeting on Syria in the Astana format will be held in Nur-Sultan in mid-2021.
"We decided to hold the 16th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format in Nur-Sultan in mid-2021," the statement reads, the text of which was read out by the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev.
The document states that the representatives of Iran and Turkey " expressed their sincere gratitude to the Russian authorities for holding the 15th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format in Sochi."
Vaccinations of the Syrian population
The World Health Organization should give priority to vaccinating the population of Syria, including within the framework of the COVAX initiative, according to a joint statement by Russia, Iran and Turkey.
"The parties noted the statements of the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in this regard. They called on the organizations of the UN system, especially the WHO, including within the framework of the COVAX initiative, to give priority to vaccinating the population in Syria, " the document says.
The sides expressed serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which complicates the work of the health system of the Arab Republic, the socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the country. "The participants of the meeting rejected all unilateral sanctions that violate international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, especially in the context of the coronavirus pandemic," the statement said.
The countries of the Astana format stressed the need to increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization and the imposition of preconditions. "In order to support the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Syria and progress in the political settlement process, the parties called on the international community, the UN and its humanitarian agencies to increase assistance to Syria, including through the implementation of projects for early recovery, including basic infrastructure - water and electricity, schools, hospitals, as well as humanitarian demining in accordance with international humanitarian law," the document says.
Separately, the parties stressed the importance of promoting the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of residence in Syria, ensuring their right to return and the right to support.
Working group on hostages
The guarantor countries of the Astana process expressed their intention to expand cooperation within the framework of the working group on the release of detainees and hostages in Syria.
"Reaffirmed their determination to strengthen and broaden cooperation in the framework of the working group on the release of detainees/hostages transfer of bodies of victims and missing persons," the Special Representative of Russian President on Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, read the statement.
The 15th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format is being held on February 16-17 in Sochi. The previous meeting in this format was held in December 2019 in Nur-Sultan.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS