Solution to Crisis in Syria Should Preserve its Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty: Putin

 MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed in phone talks on Tuesday the recent developments in Syria in light of the ongoing Turkish military operation in Afrin area.

“The heads of state exchanged views on the situation in Syria, including in the north-western part of the country in the Afrin area in light of the ongoing Turkish military operation there,” the Kremlin’s press service stated, according to Sputnik.

“The sides stressed the importance of continuing active joint work to resolve the crisis, which should be based on the principles of preserving territorial integrity and respect for the sovereignty of Syria,” the statement said.

Also, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the preparations for the upcoming Syrian National Dialogue Congress. The event will be held in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi on January 29-30.

Lavrentyev Confirms Invitations Sent for Syrian National Dialogue Congress

Meantime, UNSC permanent members, including Egypt, Jordan, Iran, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia have been invited to attend the summit which is set to take place in Russia’s resort city of Sochi, according to the text of invitation.

The Special Representative of the Russian President for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, sent invitations to participate in the Congress of the Syrian national dialogue on behalf of three guarantor states of Syrian cessation of hostilities, which include Russia, Iran, and Turkey. The summit, which was proposed by the leaders of the three countries, is set to kick off on January 29.

 According to Lavrientyev, the conference is aimed at supporting the inter-Syrian dialogue, with the ultimate goal of creating of a new Syria, preserving its unity, territorial integrity and independence.

Another aim of the summit is to promote the peace settlement in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The invitation also says that UN representatives will be invited as well as observers from Britain, China, the United States and France.

H.M