Territorial Integrity of Syria Obligatory Condition for Full-Fledged Settlement

MOSCOW-Russian President Vladimir Putin has stressed the need to unify the efforts of the international community as to fight terrorism in Syria and the world.

In a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyib Erdogan in Moscow on Friday , Putin said he discussed with Erdogan the situation in Syria, adding that the two sides noted the need to join efforts in the fight against terrorism.

 “Much attention was paid to the situation in the Middle East, to Syria in particular during an exchange of opinions on the current international issues. The sides called for joining efforts of the international community in the fight against terrorism,” Putin said after his meeting with Erdogan, according to Sputnik.

“We agreed with our Turkish colleagues to actively cooperate in the fight against terrorist groups, first of all Daesh, by working together via military and security services,” he added.

According to Putin, Syria’s territorial integrity is a major condition for political solution in the country in order to preserve peace and security in the region and to launch reconstruction process in Syria and other countries in the region.   

“Naturally, the principle of the territorial integrity of states must be observed for peace and calmness to persist in the region and for the start of the process of rebuilding Syria and other countries of the region,” Putin said

“In this sense, the restoration of the territorial integrity of Syria is, in our mind, an obligatory condition for full-fledged settlement,” he added, as reported by Itar Tass.

The cessation of hostilities in Syria is generally being observed thanks to the coordinated efforts of Russia, Turkey and Iran, the Russian President said.

“Due to the coordinated actions of Russia, Turkey and Iran, the ceasefire in Syria is generally being observed, the level of violence has decreased significantly,” Putin clarified.

Moreover, Vladimir Putin did not rule out possible involvement of the United States in joint efforts on the settlement of the crisis in Syria.

H.M