The leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran on Friday called on militants operating in the Idlib de-escalation zone to join a nationwide truce as a key step toward establishing a lasting peace in Syria.
MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th September, 2018) The leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran on Friday called on militants operating in the Idlib de-escalation zone to join a nationwide truce as a key step toward establishing a lasting peace in Syria.
The leaders of Syrian ceasefire guarantor states Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held a trilateral summit in the Iranian capital of Tehran.
The talks focused on the situation in the Idlib province, the last major insurgency stronghold in Syria, as well as the settlement of the Syrian crisis.
The presidents adopted a joint declaration following the summit, which, according to Rouhani, "openly and frankly" defined steps for further cooperation between the sides, aimed at establishing stability and security not only in Syria but throughout the region.
CONTINUING FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM
Opening the Tehran meeting, Rouhani stressed that Russia, Turkey and Iran needed to secure comprehensive and principal agreements to put an end to spread of hostilities in Syria.
"The current summit is a suitable occasion for discussing our present and future joint efforts. Taking into account the complications of the Syrian crisis ... the three parties should reach comprehensive and principal agreements on Syria's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the rights of Syrians to decide the fate of their country," Rouhani said.
The Iranian president also stressed that the cooperation between Moscow, Ankara and Tehran should continue until the complete defeat of terrorism and establishment of peace in Syria.
At the same time, Rouhani underlined that Israel should immediately withdraw its forces from Syria and argued that the United States, too, was unlikely to play a positive role in the settlement process in Syria.
"It is absolutely clear that the United States is present in Syria illegally and is only fueling aggression and supporting terrorist regime [there]. Its positive role in the Syrian process can hardly be expected," the Iranian leader pointed out.
As of Iran's military presence in Syria, Rouhani said Tehran was acting upon the invitation of Syria's government.
Similarly, Erdogan confirmed that Turkey was "determined to maintain its presence in Syria until its territorial, political and social integrity was ensured."
According to the United Nations, Idlib is the base for approximately 10,000 members of the Nusra Front and Al Qaeda terrorist groups (both banned in Russia).
But the Russian president stressed at the summit that there still was a large number of civilians in the province, "and we certainly need to bear this in mind [when fighting terrorists]."
Putin also expressed concern that militants in Idlib could build their own drones. In recent months, air defense systems at Russia's Hmeimim base in Syria destroyed about 50 unmanned vehicles used by terrorists to attack the base.
The Turkish leader responded by suggesting to relocate militants, who attack the Hmeimim airbase, from Idlib to other areas.
"We believe that we can try to move these elements, which bother our Russian friends and pose threat to Hmeimim, to remote areas," Erdogan said, stressing that the trilateral summit was the last opportunity for a peaceful settlement of the situation in Idlib.
According to Erdogan, the preservation of the status of Idlib as a de-escalation zone is vital.
"Attacks on Idlib by the Syrian regime worsen the situation in the region. These attacks pose risks to the political settlement in Syria. It is vitally important to preserve Idlib's status as a de-escalation zone. Any wrong steps in this direction will be felt everywhere. The problem should be resolved in the spirit of Astana," the Turkish president said.
Moreover, Erdogan said that UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura would meet with Russian, Turkish and Iranian representatives in Geneva soon, stressing that "the meeting will give [rise to] new dynamics to the entire process."
"As for the bombings, I think it will be useful to declare truce [in Idlib], because the population of the province is seriously suffering, the bombing is a threat to [the civilian population]," Erdogan underlined.
Putin supported Erdogan's call for the ceasefire but stressed that the ceasefire guarantors could not speak for militants and terrorists not present at the talks.
"We call on all terrorists to stop the bloodshed, surrender, lay down their arms," Rouhani said in turn.
According to the Russian president, although the three leaders had some disagreements over the text of the final declaration of the summit, it was very "diplomatic" at the end.
As for the Syrian refugees, Putin said that conditions for accommodation of up to one million people were created in Syria.
"Conditions have been created in Syria to accommodate up to a million refugees. The government gives firm guarantees of security and non-discrimination to all returning citizens, including property issues," Putin said following the summit.
According to the joint declaration, the three leaders agreed to consider the possibility of convening an international conference on Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons.
"[The presidents] have stressed the need to create conditions for the safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes in Syria. To this end, they have highlighted the need for coordination between all relevant parties, including the Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other specialized international agencies. They have agreed to consider the idea of convening an international conference on Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons," the document read.
Putin warned during the summit that terrorists in Idlib could prepare provocations, including with chemical weapons.
"The remaining groups of extremists [in Syria] are currently concentrated in the de-escalation zone in the province of Idlib. Terrorists are making attempts to disrupt the ceasefire, moreover, they are carrying out and preparing various kinds of provocations, including using chemical weapons," Putin stressed.
Putin voiced hope following the summit that the guarantors' call for truce in Idlib de-escalation zone will be heard.
The summit participants agreed to further increase coordination on the humanitarian issues in Syria, including the restoration of its economy and infrastructure.
The next trilateral summit on Syria will be held in Russia.
