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Putin, Erdogan and Rouhani meet in Sochi

November 24, 2017 at 12:13 am

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (L), Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) shake hands prior to the Syria meeting in Sochi, Russia on 22 November 2017 [Kayhan Özer/Anadolu Agency]

The presidents of Iran, Turkey and Russia renewed their commitment to Syrian sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity today in Sochi, Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani stated in a joint statement issued after their summit on Wednesday that they would continue to cooperate actively in order to restore peace and stability in Syria, as stated in The UN Security Council Decree number 2254.

They expressed their satisfaction with the level of tripartite coordination to maintain and strengthen the ceasefire in Syria whose guarantors are Iran, Russia and Turkey.

The three presidents said that the success achieved over the past months after the establishment of the cease-fire program on 29 December, led to the elimination of Daesh, al-Nusra front and other terrorist organizations that the UN Security Council identified.

The three countries, Iran, Russia and Turkey, also agreed to maintain cooperation together until these groups are totally eliminated.

They stressed that finding de-escalation areas in Syria through the Astana operation was effective and contributed to reducing tension, alleviating humanitarian suffering, reducing asylum and displacement, and starting efforts to provide conditions for the refugees and displaced people safe return to their country.

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They considered the framework and gains of Astana to be an effective tool to help establish peace and stability in Syria.

The leaders of the three countries agreed to coordinate to make sure progress is being achieved in reducing violence and ensuring de-escalation and that neither will show up again.

They also agreed that the Syrians should contribute to the reunification of the country and reach a political solution to this crisis through a comprehensive, free, fair and transparent process. This will result in the establishment of a constitution with the support of the Syrian people and holding free and fair elections with the participation of all those who are eligible.

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The tripartite Sochi summit called on representatives of the Syrian government and opposition to participate in the Syrian National Dialogue (not yet scheduled) to be held in Sochi soon.

They announced that Moscow, Ankara and Tehran will have to decide upon the participants in the conference. They agreed to meet again if they needed to.

In Riyadh, Syrian opposition meetings continue for a second day in a row to get a united delegation to the Geneva negotiations.

Parties and entities have designated their representatives to the new negotiating body, with the aim of electing the opposition delegation to the 28 November Geneva conference.