Russia, Iran, Turkey urge resumption of Syrian CC's work

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Jan 2024 15:35

The countries involved in the Astana peace process for Syria call for the prompt resumption of the Syrian Constitutional Committee's operations.

The Syrian Constitutional Committee meeting for negotiations in Geneva in 2022. (Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria)

The countries involved in the Astana peace process for Syria, namely Russia, Turkey, and Iran reiterated the significance of the Syrian Constitutional Committee and advocated for the prompt resumption of its activities, as outlined in a joint statement released after Thursday's discussions.

It is worth noting that the capital of Kazakhstan is facilitating an additional set of discussions on January 24-25.

"[The sides] noted the important role of the [Syrian] Constitutional Committee, established with the decisive contribution of the Astana format guarantor countries in the implementation of the decisions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, in the process of promoting a political settlement of the conflict in Syria," the statement added.

The nations participating in the Astana peace process for Syria called for the prompt resumption of the committee's operations and the convening of the ninth session of its drafting commission," with a constructive approach by the Syrian parties," as per the statement.

A flashback

In January 2018, the city of Sochi in Russia hosted the Syrian National Dialogue Congress, marking the initial effort since the commencement of war on Syria in 2011 to bring together a diverse range of Syrian political forces.

The primary outcome of the congress was the establishment of the Constitutional Committee, assigned with the responsibility of engaging in negotiations for constitutional reform in Syria. After meetings in Geneva, no discussions have occurred since mid-2022.

Last month, Ali Asghar Khaji, the senior adviser for special political affairs to the Iranian foreign minister, held discussions with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, to tackle efforts toward resolving the Syrian issue.

"The two sides discussed the current situation in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of continued close coordination between Moscow and Tehran, including within the framework of the Astana format, in the interests of a comprehensive settlement in Syria," the ministry said in a statement.