Russian, Iranian, Turkish leaders adopt joint statement after Tehran talks

The leaders of Russia, Iran and Türkiye, Vladimir Putin, Ebrahim Raisi and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have decided to expand the trilateral format of interaction beyond only the Syrian theme.

This is stated in a joint statement of the leaders following the results of the trilateral talks held in Tehran on July 19 within the framework of the Astana format, TASS reports.

"In addition to the Syrian issue, they [the leaders] confirmed their intention to strengthen trilateral coordination in various spheres in order to promote joint political and economic cooperation," the document says.

The presidents of Russia, Iran and Türkiye rejected all unilateral sanctions against Syria and called on the international community to strengthen assistance to the Syrian people.

According to a joint statement by the heads of the Astana troika, released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on July 19, the sides "expressed serious concern about the humanitarian situation in Syria and rejected all unilateral sanctions that contradict international law". In this regard, the countries called on the UN and other international organisations to "increase their assistance to all Syrians without discrimination, politicisation and preconditions".

Along with unilateral sanctions, the leaders rejected any discriminatory measures directed against Syria, "which could lead to the disintegration of this country through the promotion of separatist plans".

Putin, Raisi and Erdogan are convinced that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict.

"[The parties] confirmed their conviction that there can be no military solution to the Syrian conflict," the document says. The troika believes that the conflict can be resolved only within the framework of a political process under the leadership and with UN assistance.

The presidents stressed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, the joint statement said.

"They stressed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," the document says.

The leaders condemn the increased presence and activities of terrorist organisations in Syria, including attacks on civilian targets, the statement said.

"We condemned the increased presence and activity of terrorist groups and structures affiliated with them, regardless of their names, in various areas of Syria, including attacks on civilian objects, as a result of which innocent people are killed," the document says.

"We rejected all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of fighting terrorism, including illegal initiatives on self-government, and expressed our determination to resist separatist plans aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and threatening the national security of neighbouring countries, including cross-border attacks and infiltration," the document says.

The next trilateral summit of Russia, Iran and Türkiye will be held on Russian territory at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a joint statement.

In addition, the parties "agreed to instruct their representatives to hold the 19th International Meeting on Syria in the Astana format by the end of 2022".