China News Agency, Moscow, July 1 (Reporter Wang Xiujun) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Erdogan, and Iranian President Ruhani held a video conference on the 1st to discuss the Syrian issue. A joint statement was issued after the tripartite meeting, emphasizing that stability and security in the region can only be achieved on the basis of respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed its willingness to make coordinated efforts to this end.

　　Putin said at the meeting that the current level of violence in Syria has been significantly reduced and peaceful life is gradually recovering. The most important thing is that on the basis of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, prerequisites for political and diplomatic mediation have been established.

　　Putin said that bypassing the UN sanctions against Syria is illegal. More than 9 million Syrians currently need food assistance. Although the United Nations called for the easing of sanctions against Syria during the epidemic, the United States, Europe and other parties have continued to extend restrictions on Syria and introduced new sanctions. The purpose is to worsen the Syrian economy. Therefore, it is now very important to consider how to restore humanitarian assistance to Syria and help the Syrian people.

　　Erdogan expressed his hope to establish peace, order and security in Syria as soon as possible. The Turkish side will do its utmost to ensure the territorial integrity of Syria so that the Syrian conflict can be resolved in the future. I hope all parties can work together to continue this process.

　　Rouhani said that Iran’s principle on the Syrian issue remains unchanged, that is, to safeguard Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Syria’s national destiny must be determined by the Syrian people through dialogue without external interference.

　　The joint statement issued by the three parties after the meeting included: There is no military solution to the Syrian issue, and it can only be resolved by the Syrians through political means with the assistance of the United Nations; new realities such as illegal autonomy cannot be created in Syria in the name of counter-terrorism The situation; expressing serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and the epidemic situation of the new crown virus, calling on the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Syria; the need to assist refugees to return to their places of residence; holding the next Astana summit on the Syrian issue as soon as possible.

　　The Presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran held the first meeting in Syria in November 2017 on the Syrian issue. Since then, the three parties have held four meetings on the Syrian issue between 2018 and 2019. (Finish)