Russian, French presidents discuss Ankara summit

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron during which they discussed the recently-concluded trilateral summit in Ankara, according to the Kremlin press office on Friday.

Putin briefed Macron on the results of the trilateral summit between Iran, Turkey and Russia that took place in the Turkish capital on April 4, the office said in a statement.

"Vladimir Putin informed his counterpart about the agreements reached at the meeting between the leaders of Russia, Iran and Turkey in Ankara on April 4 regarding further efforts to ensure long-term stability in Syria and to strengthen its sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity

"The presidents noted the importance of promoting political settlement through the implementation of the decisions reached at the National Syrian Dialogue Congress in Sochi, as well as the importance of establishing the Constitutional Committee in Geneva under the aegis of the UN as soon as possible," it said.

The heads of states also discussed the situation in Eastern Ghouta, focusing on the operation of rescuing civilians and evacuating militants from the region, it added.

Putin stressed the importance of consolidating efforts of the global community in providing humanitarian aid to those in need throughout the entire territory of Syria.

The Elysee Palace also published a statement, according to which the French president urged Russian leader to exercise his influence over the Syrian regime to put an end to the military escalation in Syria.

"The president of the republic stressed the need to put an end to the military escalation observed in recent months to allow the protection of civilian populations, the credible resumption of negotiations on an inclusive political transition, and prevent any resurgence of Daesh in the region.

“He urged Russia to fully exercise its influence over the Syrian regime in this regard", it said.

Macron hoped that the regular and demanding dialogue between France and Russia would allow, in the next bilateral deadlines, to move decisively towards a concerted solution on Syria, it added.

On April 4, Turkey hosted a tripartite summit on Syria. In a joint statement following the summit, leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed to fight separatism in Syria. They also stressed the necessity of strengthening humanitarian assistance to the country.

Syria has only begun recently to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in early 2011 when the regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.

According to UN officials, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict to date.