14 February 2019•Update: 14 February 2019
SOCHI, RUSSIA
Turkish, Russian and Iranian presidents meet Thursday in the 4th edition of their trilateral summit on Syria in Sochi in Russia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appeared in a joint news conference after the meeting.
Putin said the Astana process aimed at finding a settlement to the crisis was leading to a permanent political solution in Syria, adding that Russia, Turkey, and Iran jointly work for the normalization of life in the war-torn country.
Putin said a conflict-free state is being maintained in almost all of Syria as a result of the tangible, positive outcome of joint efforts with Turkey.
Putin underlined the importance of a committee tasked to draft a new Syrian constitution, saying the committee should start its work soon.
Erdogan said Syrian people in Turkey are longing for returning home, adding that Turkey had done its best for the Syrian refugees since the start of the war and provided $35 billion in aid in every area.
"We have preserved the spirit of Astana process despite all problems and provocations," Erdogan said.
Rouhani said the U.S. "unfortunately" protected terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq, adding that external intervention and the importance of liberating Syria from terror have been discussed at the Sochi summit with special emphasis on its territorial integrity.
More to follow...
