Commitment to Syria’s Independence, Sovereignty, Territorial Integrity Reaffirmed in Astana Meeting
NUR-SULTAN, (ST)- Guarantor states of Astana process on settlement in Syria (Russia, Iran and Turkey) have reaffirmed their commitment to Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have also stressed the need for continuous cooperation to completely eliminate terrorist organizations in Syria, reiterating their rejection of any separatist agendas in the country.
In their final statement at the end of Astana talks, held in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan on August 1st and 2nd, the guarantors underscored that “political settlement based on UN resolutions, mainly Resolution No. 2254, as well as the results of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, is the only way to end the crisis in Syria”.
They asserted the need to continue cooperation to completely eliminate Daesh (ISIS) plus Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist organizations and all their affiliated terror groups, expressing deep concern over the situation in the de-escalation zone in Idleb and over the increase of Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in this area.
The need to enhance the ceasefire in the de-escalation zone in Idleb through implementing relevant agreements, particularly those reached in Sochi meeting on September 17th , 2018, was stressed.
Concerning the situation in the Syrian al-Jazira region in the northeastern part of Syria, the guarantor states affirmed that security and stability in this region can only be maintained when the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Syria are respected. They expressed rejection of all attempts to create new facts on ground under the guise of fighting terrorism and affirmed determination to stand against all separatist agendas that aim at undermining Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The final statement of Astana meeting also underscored the importance of respecting and complying with the goals and principles of the UN Charter and the international resolutions, mainly resolution No. 497 which rejects the occupation of the Syrian Golan.
The guarantor states also expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved in the process of forming a committee for discussing the Syrian constitution.
They called on the international community and the humanitarian organizations to increasing humanitarian aid for all the Syrians and to enhance efforts to assist Syria through the development of basic infrastructure projects and water and electricity supply facilities, schools and hospitals and through the procedures relating to demining refugees return.
Next round of Astana talks is due to be held in November in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan, according to the final statement.
Hamda Mustafa