Iranian President Hassan Rouhani started the Tehran Trilateral summit on Syrian crisis, a continuation of Astana format peace talks, with an opening speech.
Prior to opening the event, the three presidents, Hassan Rouhani, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan posed for a photo.
In the opening of his address, President Rouhani extended warm welcome to Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan.
“Today’s meetings is in line with the successful efforts of Astana Process,” said Rouhani before saying that the summit is an opportunity to put an end to crisis in Syria.
He added that the event provides the chance for the three countries to assess the efforts made so far and the plans for the future.
“From the very beginning we underlined the inefficiency of military solutions and we are pleased that after three years the experience gained have helped to find a peaceful resolution for the crisis,” he highlighted.
He asserted that Iran, Russia and Turkey must find a framework to safeguard Syria’s territorial integrity and right to self-determination.
Here comes the full transcription of President Rouhani’s address:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Your Excellency Mr. Putin, honorable President of Russia; Your Excellency Mr Erdogan, honorable President of Turkey,
Dear Guests,
We would like to extend our warmest welcome to you.
Today’s summit is being held in continuation of the successful efforts of the three countries within the framework of the Astana Process to effectively confront terrorism and put an end to the Syrian crisis, based on the demands of the majority of the Syrians. This summit is also an opportunity to discuss our joint actions in the current and future stages.
Given the complexities of the Syrian crisis, it was very important for the three countries of Iran, Russia and Turkey to achieve a common framework based on the fundamental principles of preserving territorial integrity and integrity of Syria and respect for national sovereignty and the right of the Syrian people to determine the future of their country in attempting to quell the flames of war in Syria.
From the outset, we have emphasized the inefficiency of a military solution to ending the Syrian crisis, and we are now pleased that after seven years of the Syrian crisis and based on the experience gained, the settlement of the Syrian crisis and other similar crises in the region through peaceful means has become a popular belief among the dominant actors. Our efforts over the past years, especially after concentrating activities in the context of the Astana Process, have always been based on facilitating Syrian-Syrian dialogue and encouraging the government and the opposition to join the process.
Here, I would like to pay tribute to the spirit of all the martyrs who have opened up the path to the fight against terrorism by sacrificing their lives, and express my respect for efforts at the regional and global stages, including by the United Nations over the past years to shut down the crisis in Syria, and I am proud to announce, on behalf of the Astana Process partners, that our joint efforts have contributed to nearly ending the fighting and bloodshed in Syria, stopping terrorist activities in Syria and its long-term risks for the region and the world, and providing ground for a constructive dialogue between the Syrian people.
Dear Presidents;
The Islamic Republic of Iran’s presence in Syria is at the request of the Syrian government and to fight terrorism in the country, and the continuation of this presence will be on this basis. At the same time, this presence, neither in the past nor in the presence, has not been -and will not be- aimed at imposing its opinion, and will support the will of the Syrian people as a friendly nation.
Fighting terrorism is a common international demand, but when the implementation of these demands comes within the framework of the recognized borders of another state and nation, it will not be possible to do so unless it happens through explicit request and clear consent of that country. We understand the concerns of some countries in the region about the threat of terrorism and separatism, but we consider cooperation with the Syrian government the most effective and lasting way to address these concerns, and believe that other solutions, including through direct intervention and without coordination with the Syrian government, will lead to the deepening of the crisis.
To be updated...
YNG/
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