Turkey, Russia, Iran agree on joint Syria declaration

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed on a "joint declaration" to find a solution in Syria.

Lavrov's remarks came following a trilateral meeting on Syria with his Iranian and Turkish counterparts in Moscow.

He said a joint declaration was agreed to find a solution in Syria.

"Turkish-Russian-Iranian cooperation ensures the evacuation of civilians and armed groups from eastern Aleppo," said Lavrov.

He hoped that evacuations would "end" in one or two days.

Lavrov said the trilateral format was "effective".

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said a total of 37,500 people have been evacuated from Syria's Aleppo city so far.

"The best solution is political solution. We believe in this. We have to focus on this," said Cavusoglu.

Cavusoglu said Turkey will continue with its efforts for Syria.

In recent weeks, numerous reports have emerged on violence being perpetrated against civilians in Aleppo, once considered an opposition stronghold.

The evacuation process was temporarily suspended on Friday after pro-regime foreign terrorist groups attacked a civilian convoy leaving the city, resulting in a number of evacuees getting killed.

It has resumed Monday under an earlier deal brokered by Turkey and Russia according to which some 20,000 civilians and fighters are to be evacuated from eastern Aleppo on Monday and Tuesday.