Nur-Sultan, The participants in the 18th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format reiterated, in their concluding statement today, their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and to the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter.
The statement condemned “the increasing presence and activities of terrorist organizations and their affiliated groups on the Syrian lands, as well as the terrorist attacks on civilian facilities, which led to the fall of innocent victims and which highlights the need for full implementation of all arrangements related to northern Syria”.
The guarantor states of the Astana process expressed “their determination to continuing the efforts to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to stand against separatist agendas aimed at undermining Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
The statement reiterated “the need to continue cooperation to ultimately eliminate ISIS, Jabhat al-Nusra and all other individuals, groups and entities associated with al-Qaeda or ISIS and other terrorist groups identified by the UN Security Council, while taking measures to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure. In accordance with international humanitarian law”.
The statement expressed “grave concern over the presence and activity of the so-called “Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham” later named “Al-Nusra Front” and other affiliated terrorist groups, which pose a threat to civilians inside and outside the de-escalation zone in Idlib”, stressing “the need for full implementation of all agreements regarding Idlib”.
The statement stressed that “permanent security and stability in northeastern Syria can only be achieved on the basis of preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity while rejecting all attempts to create new facts on the ground, including the illegal “self-governance initiatives” under the pretext of combating terrorism”.
The statement renewed “the guarantor states’ determination to stand up against separatist agendas in northeastern Syria aimed at undermining its unity and threatening the security of neighboring countries”, expressing “deep concern regarding the increase of hostility acts and all forms of repression practiced by separatist groups against civilians, including quelling of peaceful demonstrations, mandatory recruitment and discriminatory practices in education field.
The statement expressed “rejection of the illegal transport and transfers of oil revenues which should end up to Syria”, and denounced “the activities that support terrorist entities, including illegal “self-governance initiatives” in northeastern Syria.
The statement condemned “the continuation of the Israeli military aggressions”, stressing that “these aggressions violate international law, international humanitarian law and the sovereignty of Syria and neighboring countries, and endanger stability and security in the region and demanded their cessation”.
The statement renewed “the commitment to advance the political settlement process under the leadership and ownership of Syria and with the facilitation of the United Nations in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254”.
In the statement, the guarantor states expressed “deep concern on the humanitarian situation in Syria”, stressing their “rejection of all unilateral coercive measures that contradict international law, international humanitarian law and the Charter of the United Nations”, and called for” the need to remove obstacles and increase humanitarian assistance to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination, politicization and preconditions”.
The statement “called on the international community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies to enhance their assistance to the whole of Syria and support reconstruction projects in terms of basic infrastructure, water and energy supply facilities, schools, hospitals and demining work”.
The statement stressed “the need to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons as stated in international humanitarian law, with the need for the international community to provide what is necessary for them”.
The guarantor states noted “the presidential amnesty decree of terrorist crimes” and welcomed “the process of releasing the abductees and detainees that took place on the 13th of this month within the framework of the Working Group on the Release of Detainees and Abductees and the Identification of the Missing, and agreed on the need to increase future operations in this framework.
The guarantor states decided to hold the nineteenth international meeting on Syria in the Astana format in Nur-Sultan in the second half of 2022.
Source: Syria Arab News Agency
