Guarantor States of Astana Process Stress Respect for Syria’s Sovereignty, Independence and Territorial Integrity

GENEVA, (ST)- Foreign ministers of the three guarantor states of Astana process on Syria (Russia, Iran and Turkey) on Tuesday held a meeting with the US Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to discuss settlement of the crisis in Syria with emphasis on forming the committee on discussing the constitution.

Following the meeting, the sides issued a joint statement in which the guarantor countries stressed their respect for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who read the statement, said that the sides agreed to exert efforts as to hold the first session of the committee on discussing the constitution in Geneva at the beginning of the coming year.

“This will contribute to starting a political process under the umbrella of the United nations,”  Lavrov pointed out.

On Monday, Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem said the delay in forming the committee on Discussing the constitution is caused by certain Western states’ attempts to interfere in this matter, as well as obstacles put by Turkey.

 Hamda Mustafa