Turkey, Russia, Iran meet in bid to end war in Syria

SOCHI

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hailed on Nov. 22 a key meeting in the Russian resort of Sochi with his Russian and Iranian counterparts on the fate of Syria, describing it as a meeting aiming to end the long-running tragedy in the war-torn country.

“We have agreed on an inclusive, free, fair and transparent political process under the leadership of the Syrian people,” Erdoğan said at the end of the summit.

The stance of the Syrian regime and the opposition will play a key role in the future of the political process, Erdoğan said, adding that Turkey would not accept existence of “terrorist groups in Syria” in the process, in an open reference to the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).

“No one should expect us to be under the same roof with terror organizations that target our national security,” Erdoğan said. He also said the steps for the cease-fire were reviewed.

Syria’s leadership is committed to the peace process, constitutional reform and free elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the trilateral meeting.

The three presidents agreed to step up efforts to finish off “terrorist” groups in Syria, he also said.Syria’s leadership is committed to the peace process, constitutional reform and free elections, Russian President Vladimir Putin said after the trilateral meeting.

The three presidents agreed to step up efforts to finish off “terrorist” groups in Syria, he also said.

“This trilateral meeting is extremely important in terms of the total ending of bloodshed in Syria and the tragedy that has continued for many years. The world has witnessed the positive results of Turkey, Russia and Iran establishing a close working environment on the Syrian issue and the Astana [process] is the best example of this,” Erdoğan said at a press conference ahead of the trilateral meeting with Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

He said the Astana Process previously agreed by the three countries had led to positive developments in the field, describing the progress as “significant but not sufficient” and urging “all sides” to contribute to reach a permanent political solution in Syria.

“It is essential for all sides to make a contribution to establish a permanent and notable political solution that the Syrian people can accept,” Erdoğan said.

He also stated that the Sochi summit was highly “results-oriented,” following earlier preparations by foreign ministers and the chiefs of staff of the three countries.

“God willing, I believe we will take critical decisions today in this direction,” Erdoğan said.

His remarks were echoed by the Russian president, who called for “concessions and compromise” from all parties in Syria’s six-year conflict.

“It is obvious that the reform process will not be simple, it will require compromise and concessions from all parties, including obviously the Syrian government,” Putin said.   

“I count on the fact that Russia, Iran and Turkey will put in their best efforts to make this work as productive as possible,” he added.     

“We can say with certainty that we have reached a new stage, opening up the possibility of launch a real political process towards a peace deal,” the Russian president said.

Putin added that there was a “real chance” to end Syria’s war which monitors say has killed more than 330,000 people as he said Russia, Turkey and Iran had managed to prevent the collapse of the war-torn country.

Iran’s Rouhani, meanwhile, said the three countries’ strategy was “based on partnership and not competition, on friendship and not on animosity.”