Turkey, Russia, Iran agree to ensure Syria cease-fire

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey, Russia and Iran have decided to establish a trilateral mechanism to observe and ensure "full" compliance with the cease-fire in Syria, Kazakh foreign minister announced in the Kazakh capital Astana on Tuesday.

Kairat Abdrakhmanov's remarks came during a joint news conference following the end of second day of peace talks over the Syrian conflict in Astana.

Reading the joint statement by Turkey, Russia and Iran, Abdrakhmanov said the three countries expressed their conviction that there will be no military solution to the Syrian conflict, which can only be resolved via political process based on the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Abdrakhmanov said the countries decided "to establish a trilateral mechanism to observe and ensure full compliance with the cease-fire, prevent any provocations and determine all modalities of the cease-fire."

The countries will seek to consolidate the cease-fire using their influence over the parties through concrete steps, and they will contribute to minimize violations and build confidence and ensure unhindered humanitarian access to the country, the minister said.

Also, the three countries expressed their determination to fight jointly against Daesh and Al-Nusra, and to separate them from armed opposition groups in the region.

Abdrakhmanov said the countries reaffirmed their commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He added the countries expressed "their conviction that there is an urgent necessity to step up efforts to jumpstart the negotiation process in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution 2254".

Abdrakhmanov said the meeting in Astana was an "effective" platform for a direct dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition.

He added the next round of negotiations will be held between the government and opposition in Geneva on Feb. 8.

The minister also urged the international community to support the political process with a view to swiftly implement all steps agreed in the UN resolution.

The Astana talks, which focused on extending the cease-fire that came into effect in Syria on Dec. 30, 2016, were brokered by Turkey, which backs the opposition, and Russia and Iran, who support the Bashar al-Assad regime.

The participants discussed violations of the cease-fire as well as improving security within Syria in a bid to pave the way for a political solution to the six-year conflict.

The representatives of the Syrian regime, armed opposition groups, Russia, Turkey, Iran, the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, as well as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan George Krol participated in the second day of talks.

Syria’s UN Ambassador Bashar al-Jaafari headed the regime team, while the Turkish delegation was led by Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Sedat Onal; Special Envoy Alexander Lavrentiev and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov led the Russian team. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari also participated.

Groups such as Daesh and Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, were excluded from the cease-fire and the talks.