Russia, Iran And Turkey Agree To Cooperate In Fighting Terrorism In Syria, Call For Increased Humanitarian Aid

JAKARTA - Russia, Iran and Turkey are determined to continue working together to fight terrorism in Syria, the three guarantors of the Astana process said in a joint statement adopted at the 18th Astana Format international meeting in Syria on Thursday.

The parties "expressed their determination to continue working together to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, against the separatist agenda aimed at undermining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and threatening the national security of neighboring countries including through cross-border attacks and infiltration," the document reads, citing TASS on June 16.

They "condemn the increased presence and activity of terrorist groups and their affiliates under different names in various parts of Syria, including attacks targeting civilian facilities resulting in the loss of innocent lives."

Both Russia, Iran, and Turkey highlighted the important role of the Constitutional Committee and "reaffirmed their determination to support the work of the Committee through continuous interaction with the Syrian parties to the Constitutional Committee.

Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, as a facilitator, to ensure its continued and effective functioning. "The Constitutional Committee must carry out its activities without bureaucratic and logistical barriers."

In addition, the guarantors "call on the international community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies, to increase their assistance throughout Syria through initial recovery and resilience projects, including the restoration of basic infrastructure assets, such as water and electricity supply facilities, schools and hospitals."

Not only that, the parties reaffirmed serious concerns over the humanitarian situation in Syria. They "reject all unilateral sanctions, which are contrary to international law, international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter, including, among others" and "stress the need to remove barriers and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization, and preconditions."

According to the joint statement, the next Astana Format international meeting on Syria will be held in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan in the second half of 2022.

For information, this meeting was attended by delegations from Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Syrian Government, and the Syrian opposition. Meanwhile, representatives of the United Nations, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq were present as observers at the two-day meeting.