TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran, Russia and Turkey, as guarantors of Astana peace process, in a joint statement deplored Israel for continued attacks against Syria as well as the US oil deal with the Kurds in the Northern parts of the country.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantors of the Astana format held on the margins the regular session of the Constitutional Committee`s Drafting Commission started on 24 August in Geneva the trilateral meeting, consultations with the Syrian delegates and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Mr.Geir O. Pedersen,” the statement said on Tuesday.
In their statement, they “reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and emphasized that these principles should be respected by all sides”.
The guarantor states reiterated their determination to combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations and stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria as well as threatening the national security of neighboring countries, and “agreed to continue cooperation in order to ultimately eliminate DAESH/ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaeda or DAESH/ISIL, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the UN Security Council, while ensuring the protection of the civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the international humanitarian law.”
Expressing their opposition to the illegal seizure and transfer of oil revenues that should belong to the Syrian Arab Republic, and “condemned the illegal oil deal between a US-licensed company and the illegitimate entity as part of its separatist agenda”.
They also “condemned the continuing Israel’s military attacks in Syria in violation of the international law and international humanitarian law and undermining the sovereignty of Syria and neighboring countries as well as endangering the stability and security in the region”.
Iran, Russia and Turkey also expressed grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Syria and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing that it presents a profound challenge to Syria`s health system, socio-economic and humanitarian situations, and “rejected all unilateral sanctions which are in contravention of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, particularly in the face of the pandemic”.
They emphasized the important role of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, created as a result of the decisive contribution of the Astana guarantors and in furtherance of the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, in advancing the Syrian-led and Syrian‑owned, UN‑facilitated political process in line with the UN Security Council resolution 2254.
The three countries “welcomed the convening of the third meeting of the Constitutional Committee`s Drafting Commission on 24 August 2020 in Geneva and reaffirmed the readiness to support the committee`s work through continuous interaction with the Syrian delegates and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, as facilitator, in order to ensure its sustainable and effective functioning”.
They “expressed their view that the work of the Constitutional Committee should be governed by a sense of compromise and constructive engagement without foreign interference and externally imposed timelines aimed at reaching general agreement of its members that would enable the outcome to receive the widest possible support by the Syrian people, and “stressed the importance of the broader settlement process moving forward to increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without, preconditions, politicization and discrimination to facilitate safe and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original places of residence in Syria as well as to build confidence and trust between the Syrian parties.”
The three countries concluded the statement by reaffirming “the determination to hold the next International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format as soon as possible”.
Senior Assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister for Special Political Affairs Ali Asghar Khaji and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal exchanged views on the latest developments in Syria, and emphasized the need to respect Syria’s national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
Khaji, heading a high-ranking delegation, met Onal on the sidelines of the third meeting of Syria’s Constitutional Committee in Geneva on Monday.
The two diplomats emphasized respect for Syria’s national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity that had been agreed upon by the Astana trend guarantor.
Also, Khaji and Special Representative of the Russian President Alexander Lavrentiev in a meeting stressed the need for helping the Syrian constitutional committee with fulfilling its mission.
Khaji and Lavrentiev, during a meeting on the sidelines of Astana Trend talks in Geneva on Monday, emphasized the necessity of further consultations for successful mission of the Syrian constitutional committee.
Both officials pointed to the developments in the Syrian constitutional committee and its third meeting which is underway due to the efforts by the three guarantor states of Astana talks and the UN.
Khaji underscored the need for exchange of views and cooperation among the guarantor states.
Lavrentiev, for his part, reiterated the effective role of Astana talks in resolving the Syrian crisis, and underlined the need for holding a summit in Tehran after an expert meeting in Nur Sultan, capital city of Kazakhstan.
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