astana-sana
The guarantor countries of the Astana process affirmed their firm commitment to Syria's sovereignty, independence and unity, and their rejection of separatist plans aimed at undermining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing the need to continue combating terrorism and lifting unilateral coercive economic measures.
The statement of the guarantor countries (Russia, Iran and Turkey) at the conclusion of the 19th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format held today in the Kazakh capital stated that they renew their firm commitment to the sovereignty and independence of Syria, as well as to the principles of the United Nations Charter, and the need to respect and comply with these principles globally, and the determination to continue to work to combat Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, standing against separatist plans aimed at undermining Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and threatening the security of neighboring countries.
The statement condemned the increasing spread and attacks of terrorist organizations and groups affiliated with them under different names in several regions of Syria, including attacks that targeted civilian facilities, and led to the loss of innocent lives.
According to the statement, the guarantor countries reviewed the situation in detail in the Idlib de-escalation zone and stressed the need for full implementation of all agreements related to it. They also dealt with the situation in northeastern Syria, and stressed that permanent security and stability in this region can only be achieved on the basis of preserving Syria's sovereignty and integrity. its territory.
It condemned the practices of countries that support terrorist entities, including the illegal “self-government initiatives” in northeastern Syria, and its rejection of all attempts to create new facts on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism, as well as its rejection of the theft of Syrian oil, the revenues of which should return to the Syrian people.
The guarantor countries renewed their determination to stand against separatist agendas in the Jazira region, which aim to undermine the unity of Syria and threaten the security of neighboring countries, expressing their deep concern in this regard about the increasing hostilities by separatist groups against civilians, including suppression of demonstrations, compulsory conscription and discriminatory practices. In the field of education.
The statement condemned the repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, including on civilian infrastructure, which are a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, destabilizing and exacerbating tension in the region, and stressed the need to abide by internationally recognized legal decisions. Including relevant United Nations resolutions rejecting Israel's occupation of the Syrian Golan, foremost of which are UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 497, which affirm that all measures taken and are being taken by Israel in this regard are null and void and have no legal effect.
The guarantor countries reaffirmed that there is no military solution to the crisis in Syria and the need to commit to advancing the political process that is led and owned by the Syrians and facilitated by the United Nations, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254, noting the importance of the role of the Constitutional Discussion Committee as a result of the important contribution of the guarantor countries to the Astana process. And to reinforce the decisions of the Syrian-Syrian National Dialogue Conference in Sochi in advancing the political settlement of the crisis in Syria.
The guarantor countries called for holding the ninth round of the committee to discuss the constitution as soon as possible with a constructive approach, and without any obstacles or external interference and timetables imposed from abroad, affirming their support for the work of the committee through continuous interaction with the Syrian parties and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Syria, Geir Pedersen. as a facilitator in order to ensure his sustainable work.
In their statement, the guarantor states expressed their deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and their rejection of unilateral coercive economic measures that contradict international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations, including any discriminatory measures through exemptions granted to certain regions in service of separatist agendas that harm the unity of Syria. .
The guarantor countries stressed the need to remove obstacles and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians across the country without discrimination, politicization and preconditions, calling on the international community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies to enhance their assistance to Syria by supporting early recovery projects, including the reconstruction of basic infrastructure (water and electricity). Sanitation, health, education, schools and hospitals), as well as humanitarian work related to demining, in accordance with international humanitarian law, in a way that contributes to improving the humanitarian situation in Syria and making progress in the political settlement process.
The statement of the guarantor states indicated the need to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and displaced persons to their cities, towns and villages in compliance with international humanitarian law and the obligation of the international community to provide them with the necessary assistance, expressing the readiness of the guarantor states to continue interacting with all relevant parties, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs. refugees and other specialized international agencies and their intention to continue working for the release of detainees and abductees.
The guarantor countries decided to hold the 20th international meeting in the Astana format on Syria in the first half of next year, and referred to the decision contained in the joint statement of the tripartite summit of the heads of the guarantor countries in Tehran on July 19 to hold the next summit in Russia.