Remarkable Statement on Syrian Refugees

Regarding the meeting on Syria held between Turkey, Iran and Russia in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, the Foreign Ministry made a statement saying: “The parties noted the need to create the necessary conditions inside Syria and facilitate the return from Syrians to Syria. their countries in a safe, voluntary and dignified manner”.

In the written statement made by the Ministry, it was stated that the 20th high-level meeting on Syria in the Astana format was held in Astana on June 20-21, 2023, and that Turkey was represented at the meeting by a delegation headed by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Burak Akçapar.

At the meeting, it was stated that the situation on the ground and the fight against terrorism, regional developments, the political process, returns and humanitarian aid were discussed and a Joint Statement was released at the end of the meeting.

In the Joint Declaration, the parties highlighted their firm commitment to the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria, the leading role of the Astana Process in the peaceful resolution of the Syrian issue, and expressed their determination to fight separatist agendas that threaten national security. from neighboring countries, including the cross-border attacks and infiltrations they have recorded. The parties condemned the growing presence and attacks of terrorist organizations operating in Syria under different names and extensions, noted that illegitimate attempts at “self-government” under the pretext of combating terrorism are unacceptable, and condemned violations of the separatist structure in northeastern Syria, expressed their dissatisfaction with the actions of countries that support terrorist formations, including these initiatives. They drew attention to the importance of the actual implementation of all the regulations regarding Northern Syria and also Idlib.”

‘HUMANITARIAN AID SHOULD INCREASE’

It was also emphasized that the parties reaffirmed their commitment to advance in the process of a political solution in the Syrian conflict, in accordance with Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), and the following statements were included:

“In this context, the parties requested that the next round of the Constitutional Committee be held as soon as possible. The parties expressed their concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation created by the earthquakes on February 6 and stressed the importance of uninterrupted humanitarian aid for all of Syria and, in this context, emphasized the importance of increasing humanitarian aid on the basis of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2672. on the UN cross-border mechanism. The parties pointed out the need to create the necessary conditions inside Syria and facilitate these returns to guarantee the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrians to their countries. On the occasion of the meeting, bilateral meetings were held with the observer members of the Astana Process and UN agencies. (DHA)