Turkey and Iran Explore Strategies to Ease Tensions in Syria
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Ankara, Dec 3 (NationPress) Turkish and Iranian Foreign Ministers have highlighted the importance of lowering tensions after significant clashes between Syrian government forces and rebel factions in northwestern Syria.
During a joint press conference following a meeting with his Iranian counterpart in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Monday that Turkey has consistently warned all conflict parties to prevent further escalation, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Fidan emphasized, Recent developments in Syria highlight the necessity for compromise between the Syrian government and armed opposition groups, asserting that Turkey is prepared to facilitate such discussions if needed.
Turkey desires to avoid any additional escalation of the civil war in Syria, Fidan noted, adding that unresolved issues from the onset of the unrest in Syria have contributed to the current circumstances.
He mentioned that Turkey and Iran share a mutual understanding in their fight against terrorism, and Ankara will not permit terrorist organizations to take advantage of the instability in Syria.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi conveyed that Iran also seeks to avert an increase in hostilities in Syria, as reported by the semi-official Anadolu Agency.
Araghchi highlighted that Tehran has shared concerns with Turkey regarding regional developments, particularly in Syria.
Both Ministers committed to uphold Syria's territorial integrity and expressed their readiness to fulfill their responsibilities within the Astana format discussions alongside Russia, as noted by Anadolu.
Russia, Iran, and Turkey initiated a series of discussions in January 2017 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution in Syria.
Since the onset of major clashes between Syrian government forces and rebel factions, Turkey and Iran have intensified their diplomatic dialogues.
While Tehran has been a crucial ally of the Syrian government during the civil war that began in 2011, Ankara has supported opposition factions.
