The determination of the guarantors of the Astana format to continue working together against separatist threats
The determination of the guarantors of the Astana format to continue working together against separatist threats
The 22nd high-level meeting on Syria within the framework of the Astana format, organized with the guarantees of Turkey, Russia and Iran, has ended in Kazakhstan.
At meetings held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the guarantor countries Turkey, Russia and Iran expressed their determination to continue working together to counter separatist threats threatening the national security of neighboring countries. They also condemned terrorist acts, including the attack on the TUSAŞ building in Ankara on October 23, as well as the actions of terrorist groups operating under various names in various parts of Syria, targeting civilian targets and causing civilian casualties.
According to a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, the meeting discussed regional developments and their impact on the situation in Syria, as well as security, humanitarian and economic issues, including efforts to combat terrorism.
At the meeting, which took place on November 11-12 in Astana, the possibilities of reviving the political process, which is the only way to a comprehensive solution to the Syrian conflict, were discussed.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Alibek Bakayev, who hosted the meeting, read out a joint statement by the guarantor countries Turkey, Russia and Iran, which emphasizes the leading role of the Astana process in finding a lasting solution to the Syrian crisis.
Call for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza
The statement, which strongly condemns the ongoing massacres and brutal Israeli attacks in Gaza, as well as attacks in Lebanon and the West Bank, expressed deep concern, saying: "The international community, including the UN Security Council, is called upon to ensure an urgent and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure unhindered access of humanitarian aid to the region."
The statement also calls for an urgent ceasefire in Lebanon, stresses the need to implement UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701, and stresses the need for urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Lebanon, which has suffered massive civilian casualties and massive infrastructure destruction. Concerns have been expressed about a deliberate attack by the Israeli armed forces on the UNIFIL mission.
The statement also noted attention to efforts to receive hundreds of thousands of people forced to leave Lebanon and go to Syria, and decided to continue consultations to prevent negative consequences of Israel's actions in the region as a whole.
The statement acknowledged that the escalation of violence in the Middle East region has a negative impact on the situation in Syria, and stressed the urgent need for emergency measures by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), other UN organizations and all humanitarian actors to respond to the situation of people forced to leave Lebanon and cross into Syria.
Concern was expressed about the spread of the conflict to the region by Israel
The statement also condemns the Israeli attacks on the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Damascus and on Iranian territory on April 1, 2024.
The statement once again emphasizes the need to comply with the decisions of international courts, including UN Security Council Resolutions No. 242 and No. 497, which consider all Israeli decisions and actions in this context invalid and unenforceable.
The statement notes that it is necessary to create favorable conditions to overcome the consequences of the Syrian crisis and achieve stability, as well as to increase efforts to combat terrorism. The importance of continuing efforts to restore diplomatic relations between Turkey and Syria on the basis of mutual respect, good-neighborly relations and the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty of both countries, as well as ensuring the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees with the support of the UNHCR is emphasized.
The statement also expressed gratitude for the efforts being made within the framework of the quadrilateral format created in Moscow at the meetings of defense ministers on April 25, 2023 and foreign ministers on May 10, 2023, with the participation of Russia, Iran, Syria and Turkey. The importance of continuing communication within this format is emphasized.
The determination to work together in the fight against separatist agendas was expressed
The statement, which expresses the determination of the parties to continue working together in the fight against separatist agendas that threaten the national security of neighboring countries, including separatist agendas that weaken the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as cross-border attacks and infiltrations, says: "We call for continued joint efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In addition, the actions of terrorist groups, including the attack on the TUSAŞ building in Ankara on October 23, 2024, as well as terrorist groups operating under different names in various regions of Syria, which purposefully attack civilian targets and lead to civilian casualties, were condemned. The need for full implementation of all decisions concerning the northern part of Syria was emphasized."
The statement also notes that the situation in the Idlib De-escalation zone (ZDI) has been reviewed in detail, and emphasizes the need to ensure the preservation of calm in the region through the full implementation of all agreements on Idlib. "It is noted that destructive activities of third parties should not be allowed, which can further destabilize the current situation. Serious concerns have been expressed about the presence and actions of terrorist groups that pose a threat to civilians both inside and outside the building. An agreement has been reached to further enhance efforts for the sustainable normalization of the humanitarian situation and the situation in general in and around the building."
The statement says that any attempts to create new realities on the ground, including illegal attempts at self-government in northeastern Syria and actions to combat terrorism and hold local elections, covered by such initiatives, are rejected. "The countries reaffirmed their determination to resist separatist agendas aimed at weakening the unity of Syria and threatening the national security of neighboring countries, including cross-border attacks and infiltrations from the west of the Euphrates."
The statement also highlights deep concern about the actions of separatist groups that violate the rights of citizens to freedom of expression, including forced mobilization, suppression of peaceful demonstrations, discriminatory practices in education, coercion to impose curricula, as well as restrictions on political action, journalism, freedom of assembly and movement.
"There can be no military solution in Syria"
The statement condemns any efforts to fuel separatist and terrorist sentiments among certain ethnic and religious groups and supply them with weapons. "The countries expressed their position that there can be no military solution in Syria, and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a workable and sustainable political process within the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, with the leading role of Syrians, with the assistance of the United Nations."
The statement also highlights the important role of the Syrian Constitutional Commission in promoting a political solution in Syria and calls on the Syrian parties to continue constructive work to resume the commission's activities and conduct the ninth round of the Commission's work on writing the Constitution.
In this context, the statement says about the renewed commitment to support the work of the Committee through constant interaction with the Syrian parties and with Geir O. Pedersen, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Syria, as a mediator, in order to ensure the sustainable and effective functioning of the Committee. The necessity of carrying out the activities of the Constitutional Commission without bureaucratic and logistical obstacles was emphasized.
The declaration calls for the immediate provision of all necessary conditions for the smooth performance of the Committee's work, including overcoming problems with the venue of meetings. It was also stated that the parties believed in the need to comply with the Rules of Procedure and Basic Principles of Work so that the Committee could complete the task of preparing and writing a constitutional reform.
Underlining serious concerns about the humanitarian situation in Syria, the statement said: "The Government of the Syrian Arab Republic has stressed the extension of the permit that allows UN humanitarian agencies to use the Bab al-Hawa (Chilvegezu), Bab al-Salam (Onjupinar) and Al-Rai (Chobanbey) border crossings on the border with Turkey. The importance of continuing the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to all Syrians according to all UN-approved procedures and methods, including cross—border and cross-border UN assistance to northwest Syria, was stressed," the statement said.
Stressing the need to remove obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid and increase the volume of humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization and preconditions, the statement says: "In order to improve the humanitarian situation in Syria and support progress in the political settlement process, the international community, the United Nations and humanitarian organizations must support the main facilities infrastructure, such as water and electricity supply facilities, sanitation, and healthcare. He called for increasing his assistance to all Syrians through the implementation of early recovery and resilience projects, including education, rehabilitation of schools, hospitals and mine clearance activities in accordance with international humanitarian law."
The statement also focuses on the need to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of permanent residence in Syria and to ensure the rights of return and support in this process. "The importance of continuing to work to create the necessary conditions for the voluntary and dignified return of Syrians to their country is emphasized."
The statement noted the agreement to hold the next Trilateral summit in Russia, and it was also decided to hold the 23rd meeting on Syria in the Astana format in the first half of 2025.
22nd meeting on Syria in Astana format
During the two-day talks held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Turkey was represented by a delegation headed by the Director General for Bilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul. The Russian delegation was led by Alexander Lavrentiev, Special Representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin for Syria, and the Iranian delegation was headed by Ali Asghar Haji, Adviser to the Iranian Foreign Minister on Political Issues.
The Syrian Government delegation was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Ayman Raad, and the opposition delegation was represented by Chairman Ahmet Tuma. The negotiations were attended by representatives of the United Nations (UN), headed by Geir O. Pedersen, as well as representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Red Cross. Observers from Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq were also present.