BALADI NEWS
The 14th round of Syria peace talks discussed developments east of Euphrates River and in Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry reported Wednesday.
“The fourteenth round of the high-level meetings on Syria was held on 10-11 December 2019 in Nur-Sultan. Developments on the ground, particularly on the east of the Euphrates and in Idlib as well as the current state of affairs in the political process were discussed in the meeting,” the ministry said in a statement.
Opposing the illegal seizure and transfer of oil revenues in the region, the parties emphasized the importance of full implementation of Turkey-Russia deal signed on Oct. 22 to stabilize the situation east of the Euphrates.
The ministry's statement noted that the parties rejected any separatist agendas posing a threat to political unity, territorial integrity of Syria as well as to national security of the neighboring countries.
“They underscored objection to all attempts to create new realities on the ground under the pretext of combating terrorism, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives,” it added.
On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to secure Turkey’s borders from the Kurdish militias YPG/SDF, and establish a safe zone to aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees.
On Oct. 22, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin signed a deal under which YPG/SDF will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols 10 km (6.2 miles) from the Turkish border.
“The parties have reiterated their commitment in re-establishing calm in [northwestern] Idlib and in preserving the de-escalation status of the area,” the ministry said, adding that they were also concerned for the civilian casualties by the recently increased attacks in the area.
“They agreed to intensify efforts in order to ensure the security of civilians and the military personnel of the guarantor states. Turkey has expressed concern for regime’s targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure and has stressed its expectation that these attacks must cease immediately,” it added.
Expressing satisfaction on the convening of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, the parties reiterated continued support for its sustainability.
The first meeting in the Astana format for reaching a cease-fire in Syria was held in January 2017.
After a Sept. 17, 2018 meeting in Sochi between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the two sides agreed to set up a demilitarized zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited in Idlib.
Despite the cease-fire agreement, the Assad regime and its allies have continued their low-intensity attacks on Idlib’s de-escalation zone.
Source: Anadolu Agency.