4-nation summit in Istanbul aims to end Syria bloodshed

By Sorwar Alam, Cansu Dikme, Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA (AA) - Leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France on Saturday expressed their determination to end bloodshed in war-torn Syria at the earliest.

Following a Syria summit in Istanbul Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan along with Russian President Vladimir Putin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron held a joint news conference calling on the international community to work hand in hand for a sustainable solution in Syria.

"We have discussed a political solution in line with Syrian people's legitimate demands which moves to reach stability in the country," Erdogan told reporters.

"Our aim is to reach a complete cease-fire to halt bloodshed," he said, adding that the four nations agreed to increase cooperation among themselves and at the international level on the issue.

The leaders also called for the completion of the constitution committee's process for establishing a Syrian constitution by the end of this year that would pave the way for an inclusive and fair election in the country which has been at the brunt of a devastating civil war since 2011.