MOSCOW, Jan. 25 (MNA) – Russia is stepping up its cooperation with Turkey, Iran and other countries of the region to resolve urgent issues in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday.

According to a joint statement of Russia, Iran and Turkey issued following Syrian peace talks in Astana on Tuesday, the countries agreed to create a trilateral group on monitoring the Syrian ceasefire.

The nationwide ceasefire in Syria backed by Russia and Turkey came into effect on December 30 and was later supported by a UN Security Council resolution.

SPUTNIK/MNA