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Joint Statement of Representatives of Iran, Russia and Turkey on the Results of the 19th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana Format (Astana, November 23, 2022)

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Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey as guarantor countries of the Astana format:

Guided by the agreements reached in the framework of the trilateral summit of the “Astana Process” guarantor countries on July 19, 2022 in Tehran, reviewed the developments in the world and in the region and stressed the leading role of the “Astana Process” in promoting a sustainable solution to the Syrian crisis.
Reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and stressed that these principles should be universally observed and respected.

Expressed their determination to continue cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to oppose separatist plans aimed at undermining Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity and threatening the national security of neighboring countries, including cross-border attacks and infiltration. Condemned the growing presence and activity of terrorist groups and networks affiliated with them that are operating under various guises in various parts of Syria, including attacks on civilian infrastructure and internally displaced person (IDP) camps, which are causing civilian casualties. They stressed the need to fully implement all existing agreements concerning northern Syria.

They reviewed in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone (IZD). Agreed to make further efforts to ensure sustainable normalization of the situation in and around the IZD, including the humanitarian situation. They stressed the need to maintain calm “on the ground” through full implementation of all existing agreements on Idlib.

They discussed the situation in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic and agreed that permanent security and stability in this region can only be achieved by preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. Rejected all attempts to create new realities “on the ground,” including illegal initiatives for self-government under the pretext of fighting terrorism. Reiterated their determination to oppose separatist plans in Zayefrateria aimed at undermining Syrian unity and threatening the national security of neighboring countries, including cross-border attacks and infiltration.
In this context, expressed serious concern over the intensified fighting and all forms of harassment by separatist groups against the civilian population in Zawfrater, including repression of peaceful demonstrations, forcible conscription and discriminatory educational practices.

Reiterated their rejection of the illegal seizure and transfer of oil revenues, which should belong to Syria. Condemned the actions of countries supporting terrorist elements, including illegal self-governance initiatives in northeastern Syria.

Condemned Israel’s continued military attacks in Syria, including on civilian targets. Considered these actions violate international law, international humanitarian law, Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, and recognized them as destabilizing and exacerbating tensions in the region. Affirmed the need to respect universally recognized international legal decisions, including the provisions of relevant UN resolutions rejecting the occupation of the Syrian Golan, especially UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497, which consider all Israeli decisions and steps in this regard null and void and without legal effect.

Expressed their conviction that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict and reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a viable and durable political process led and facilitated by the Syrians themselves in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2254.

Stressed the important role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee established with the decisive contribution of the “Astana format” guarantor countries in implementation of the decisions of the Congress of Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi, in promoting the political settlement of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Called for the speedy holding of the ninth session of the Drafting Commission of the Constitutional Committee with a constructive approach of the Syrian parties. In this regard, reaffirmed their determination to support the work of the Committee through continuous engagement with its Syrian parties and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen as a facilitator to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the Committee.

Stressed the need for the Constitutional Committee to carry out its work without any bureaucratic and logistical obstacles.

Convinced that the work of the Constitutional Committee must respect the terms of reference and the basic rules of procedure in order to enable the Committee to carry out its mandate of preparing and drafting a constitutional reform subject to popular approval and to make progress in its work, guided by the desire for compromise and constructive engagement without foreign interference and the imposition of terms from outside in order to achieve the common agreement of its members.

Reiterated serious concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria. Rejected all unilateral sanctions that violate international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, including all selective measures and exemptions against specific areas of Syria that could lead to the disintegration of the country, contributing to secessionist plans.

Emphasized the need to remove obstacles and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization and imposition of preconditions.

In order to support the improvement of the humanitarian situation in Syria and progress towards a political settlement, called on the international community, the UN and its humanitarian agencies to increase assistance to Syria through early recovery and resilience projects, including the restoration of basic infrastructure – water and electricity, health and education, schools, hospitals, as well as humanitarian demining projects in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Underlined the need to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and IDPs to their homes in Syria and ensure their right of return and the right to support. In this context, called upon the international community to provide the necessary assistance to Syrian refugees and IDPs and reaffirmed their readiness to continue to interact with all stakeholders, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Refugees (UNHCR) and other specialized international organizations.
Reaffirmed their determination to continue operations for the mutual release of detainees/stolen persons within the framework of the Astana format Working Group. Stressed that the Working Group is a unique mechanism that has proven its relevance and effectiveness in establishing trust between the Syrian parties, decided to continue the work on the release of detainees/ abductees and to expand operations in accordance with the existing mandate on the transfer of the bodies of the dead and the search for missing persons.
In addition to the Syrian issue, they reaffirmed their intention to strengthen tripartite coordination in various fields in order to promote joint political and economic cooperation.

They noted with satisfaction the participation of the delegations of Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon as observers of the “Astana format” as well as representatives of the UN and ICRC.
They congratulated the Kazakh side with the successful holding of the presidential election on 20 November 2022 and expressed sincere gratitude to the Kazakh authorities for holding the 19th International Meeting on Syria in Astana in the Astana format.

Agreed to hold the 20th International Meeting on Syria in Astana in the first half of 2023. They noted the agreement, enshrined in the final statement of the trilateral summit of July 19, 2022, to hold the next summit in the Russian Federation.

Source: https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1839808/

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