Dates have been proposed for the quadripartite meeting: Lavrov

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: news agencies
4 Apr 2023 22:59
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Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov revealed that several possible dates for the anticipated quadripartite meeting, between Syria, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, were proposed during the talks between the deputy foreign ministers today.

Smoke rises from the town of Tal Abyad in northern Syria, Oct. 10, 2019 (AFP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov revealed that several possible dates for the anticipated quadripartite meeting, between Syria, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, were proposed during the talks between the deputy foreign ministers today.

"Some dates were proposed that could become generally acceptable based on the results of your negotiating round," Lavrov was quoted saying to the deputy foreign ministers in his welcoming speech; prospectively adding that Russia expects Syrian and Turkish officials to be "as constructive as possible."

"I know that on the meeting table, there are texts that were submitted by individual delegations. I am sure that on the basis of these proposals, it will be possible to reach a collective position," Lavrov said.

The four deputy foreign ministers agreed to maintain contact during their meeting on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

"Participants outlined their stance and agreed to continue contacts in a direct and frank manner," the Russian ministry’s statement read, adding that the diplomats also talked about "preparations for the upcoming meeting of the heads of the foreign ministries."

Earlier today, before the meeting, the Head of the Syrian delegation, Deputy Foreign Affairs, and Expatriates Minister Ayman Sousan highlighted a set of points.

He affirmed that Turkey’s formal and unequivocal announcement that its forces will exit completely from Syrian territory is "the gateway to re-establish communication between the two sides".

Sousan also stressed that restoring the situation in the northeast and northwest of Syria requires conditions to preserve the country’s sovereignty and unity. Withdrawing illegal forces, combating terrorism, and restoring the Syrian state’s control over all of its territory is a priority to reach this goal.

Furthermore, the state news agency SANA reported that the Syrian delegation will focus during the meeting on three points, "Ending the illegal Turkish presence on Syrian territory, non-interference in the Syrian internal affairs, and combating terrorism in all its forms.”

The Russian, Syrian, and Turkish defense ministers held talks in the Russian capital, Moscow, earlier in December 2022 where they discussed means of resolving the Syrian crisis.

"On December 28, trilateral talks between the defense ministers of Russia, Syria, and Turkey took place in Moscow. The meeting discussed ways to address the Syrian crisis, the issue of refugees, and joint efforts to combat extremist groups in Syria," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the defense ministers highlighted how the dialogue was constructive, stressing the need for all three parties to hold further talks to bring more stability to Syria and the whole region, the statement added.