Astana Process Participants Advocate for Humanitarian Aid and Counter-Terrorism Collaboration in Syria
Astana: Iran, Russia, Türkiye Emphasize Need for Humanitarian Aid, Joint Efforts to Combat Terrorism in Syria
The 21st International Meeting on Syria within the Astana Process took place on Jan. 25, where representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye, as guarantors of the Astana Format, highlighted the importance of securing unhindered humanitarian aid to Syria, joining efforts to combat terrorism and encouraging the mutual release of detainees.
The two-day event included delegations from Iran, Russia, Türkiye, the Syrian government, the Syrian opposition, as well as the United Nations (UN), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon. The meeting concluded with the adoption of a joint statement by representatives of Iran, Russia and Türkiye.
Kazakh Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Bakayev emphasized the stabilizing situation in Syria and the need for a peaceful resolution, attributing the positive progress to the Astana Process.
Since January 2017, Kazakhstan has hosted 19 out of 21 international meetings on Syria in the Astana format, leading to significant achievements in the establishment of de-escalation zones and a decrease in human casualties among conflicting parties.
The joint statement featured 20 resolutions and emphasized the leading role of the Astana Process in promoting the lasting settlement of the Syrian crisis, including addressing the negative impact of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Head of the Syrian government delegation and Vice Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bassam Sabbagh, highlighted the importance of humanitarian aid and the release of detainees, emphasizing the need for the return of refugees to their homeland.
The head of the Syrian armed opposition, Ahmed Toma, expressed optimism regarding peacekeeping efforts within the Idlib de-escalation zone and emphasized the significance of settling issues with the Syrian government for the democratic development of the country.
Head of the Iranian delegation, Iranian foreign minister’s senior advisor for special political affairs Ali Asghar Khaji reiterated the importance of respecting Syrian sovereignty in any political process within the nation.
The next meeting is scheduled to take place in the second half of 2024 in Astana, continuing the collaborative efforts to address the Syrian crisis.
