Russia, Turkey and Iran are resolute to continue cooperation in the fight against terrorism and work to organize a conference for the Syrian dialogue that is able to gather all Syria factions. This is what Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a press conference organized in Sochi at the end of the trilateral summit on Syria, including Turkey and Iran counterparts respectively Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Hassan Rohani. The head of the Russian state, speaking to the press, said the three leaders adopted a joint declaration on their country's co-operation in resolving the Syrian crisis.
"The document sets priorities for further cooperation of Russia, Turkey and Iran focused on the Syrian situation and sets concrete tasks for the future," Putin said. The Russian president noted that the three countries will work together to set a date and the composition of the delegations of the various Syrian factions that will take part in a future National Congress for Dialogue on Syria which will also be held in Sochi. “I can say with satisfaction that the presidents of Iran and Turkey have welcomed the idea of convening a pan-Syrian forum. It was agreed to organize this important event at the right level and to ensure participation that is representative of the broad spectrum of Syrian society. The ministries of foreign affairs, defense and intelligence have been asked to work on a date and composition of the Congress to be held here in Sochi, ”Putin said.
President Putin said that during the meeting with Erdogan and Rohani, the importance of maintaining sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria was reaffirmed. According to the head of the Russian state at the summit today, it agreed to further promote the Astana dialogue process that has led to the creation of security zones in Syria. The Russian president said that the future of Syria "must be determined by the Syrians themselves" whether they support the government of Damascus or the opposition. Lastly, for Putin, the agreements reached between Russia, Turkey and Iran in recent months have helped to lay the foundations for a peace process in Syria and to reduce tensions in the Middle East.