Syria, Turkey agree to Russia's roadmap normalization initiative

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Jun 2023 08:38
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Russia has been preparing a draft roadmap for further approval by the rest of the parties.

Turkish troops are pictured in the area of Kafr Jannah on the outskirts of the Syrian town of Afrin on October 18, 2022 (AFP)

Syria, Turkey, and Iran have all agreed to the roadmap initiative pitched by Russia to restore normal diplomatic relations between Syria and Turkey, Sputnik reported citing Alexander Lavrentyev Russia's special envoy to Syria.

"All parties generally agreed with the concept of a road map to advance the process of normalizing relations and expressed their views and proposals. Now they need to be systematized and coordinated," Lavrentyev said, noting however that the process would take some time before being realized.

"The most important thing is that the process is moving forward, and there is progress. It cannot be delayed much, everyone agreed with this."

"After the meeting of the foreign ministers of the four countries [in May], the Russian side took upon itself the preparation of a draft for further approval. There is such a draft, it has been handed over to the concerned parties. It has been handed over to Turkey, Damascus, the Iranian side has it," Lavrentyev added.

In regards to ending the Astana Peace process, the official noted that talks can be resumed on a rotational basis between Russia, Iran, and Turkey.

"It is quite possible that a decision will be made to use the sites of these countries on a rotational basis. This is one of the options," he said.

Lavrentyev added that the parties welcome initiatives from other parties, and the four countries would consider such initiatives from the viewpoint of preference and acceptability for all sides.

Russia, Iran, and Turkey established the Astana peace process in 2017 to find solutions to the Syrian problem through UN diplomatic efforts. However, the general environment around this process implies that it will not acquire pace unless Turkish forces completely withdraw from northern Syria, as hinted at during a meeting of the four countries' defense ministers on April 25.

Officials from the three coutries met in the Kazakh capital Astana this week for the 20th session to discuss ground developments and a roadmap to reestablish Ankara-Damascus ties, in addition to the recent Israeli aggressions, among other issues.

Yesterday, Kazakhstan announced unexpectedly that it will no longer host the Syria peace talks between Russia, Iran, and Turkey, ending a political process that has been ongoing since 2017.

Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Kanat Tumysh said his country's position to conclude the process comes as it considers that the negotiation's goals had been achieved.

On his part, Assistant Foreign and Expatriates Minister of Syria, Ayman Sousan, underlined that any effective results that may come out from the Astana process must be based on Turkey’s acknowledgment to completely withdraw its troops from the Syrian territories on a specific schedule and based on concrete steps and to start this actual withdrawal.

He also clarified that the Turkish statements about Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity contradict its continued occupation of Syrian territories and violate international law and the most basic elements of relations between countries.

Moscow has evidence US strengthening military contingent in Syria

On another level, Alexander Lavrentyev told Sputnik that Moscow has evidence that the United States is building up its military contingent in Syria.

"There is such information regarding the fact that the United States is reinforcing its military contingent in northeastern Syria, as well as in Al-Tanf, which has been illegally occupied by them [Americans] for quite a long time," Lavrentyev said.

This may be due to "the tightening of the US position in relation to Damascus itself and attempts to make efforts to further destabilize the situation in Syria," the diplomat said.