Russia, Turkey, Iran agree to "eliminate terrorism" in Syria
Iran, Russia and Turkey affirmed their determination to continue cooperation to "eliminate terrorists" in Syria, in a joint statement at the conclusion of a tripartite summit held Tuesday in Tehran.
The tripartite summit stressed the need to speed up a political solution in Syria.
In a statement, the three countries affirmed their determination "to continue their existing cooperation to ultimately eliminate terrorist individuals and groups."
It expressed "rejection of all attempts to create new facts on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism, including illegal self-government initiatives, and determination to stand in the face of separatist agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, in addition to threatening the national security of neighboring countries."
At the summit that brought him together with his Turkish counterparts, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stressed that Tehran supports a political solution to the crisis in Syria.
Raisi added: "Syria's fate should be decided by its people without any foreign interference (...) The strong presence of the Syrian army will help preserve the country's unity."
Putin considered that the tripartite talks he held with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts, Recep Tayyip, on the Syrian conflict were "very useful."
"The meeting was very useful (...) We discussed the basic points of our cooperation related to Syria," Putin said, calling on his counterparts to visit Russia "before the end of the year" to hold a new summit in this regard.
He stressed that Russia, Iran and Turkey are committed to continuing efforts to return the situation in Syria to "normal".
He explained: "We discussed the issue of Syria in accordance with the joint declaration, and we emphasized the issue of tripartite cooperation between us in order to establish stability and a decent life in Syria (...) Our three countries have the same views regarding resolving the Syrian crisis through diplomacy, and based on the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in accordance with the UN resolution 2254".
Putin added: We agreed with the Turkish and Iranian sides to continue consultations within the framework of the Astana platform, along with the Syrian parties, and we mean the government, the opposition, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and the United Nations.
On the other hand, the Russian President said that Moscow and Tehran discussed the use of national currencies in bilateral settlements.
Erdogan also said, "The Astana platform is the framework that brings us together as guarantor countries. We discussed the Syrian settlement and how to restore calm and stability to Syria, and this is a common mission and we must work with joint efforts."
Erdogan expressed his confidence in discussing all appropriate steps to establish calm and stability in the Syrian territories.
The Turkish president stressed that his country will "soon" continue to fight against terrorist organizations in northeastern Syria, where he has been threatening to launch a military operation about two months ago.
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