Iran Ready to Help Advance Syria-Turkey Rapprochement

Iran supports reconciliation talks between Syria and Turkey and is ready to use all its capacities to help the implementation of their agreements, the Iranian top diplomat said. 
Speaking at the four-party meeting with his Syrian, Turkish and Russian counterparts, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian welcomed the initiation of dialogue between Damascus and Ankara, saying it is in the interest of the two countries’ people, as well as the security of the region.
“We deeply believe that these two countries can leave the past behind and look to the future, and resolve their bilateral issues through dialogue and cooperation and based on the principle of good neighborliness,” he said, ISNA reported. 
Experience has shown, according to Amir-Abdollahian, that resorting to military action will not only not address the problems, but will also further complicate the situation besides its human and financial costs.
“The meeting of quadrilateral ministerial meeting will send a strong message for the realization of peace and lasting security in the region and promotion of good neighborliness between Turkey and Syria,” he said.  
The foreign minister said the new international circumstances have provided an opportunity to resolve the problems of Syria through political initiatives and restore security, stability and development in this country and the region.
International relations are experiencing a new phase marked by a change in the world order, decline of the United States’ power and the prevalence of regionalism, he explained, adding that traditional powers are no longer able to impose their ideas and practice unilateralism. 
“Iran believes that any political solution to Syrian problems should be laid out in a way that the Arab Republic can exercise its national sovereignty across its entire territory,” he said. 
The realization of this goal will contribute to the stability and security of this country, while ensuring the security and stability of the borders of neighboring countries, according to the minister.

 
Amir-Abdollahian said the establishment of Syrian army bases on borders to promote security jointly with neighbors will address the concerns of Ankara and other neighboring states and prevent the operations of terrorist and separatist groups. 
This will pave the way for the initiation of neighborly and strategic relations between the two sides and the exit of Turkish military forces from shared border areas according to the agreed schedule, he said. 
“We believe that a strong and independent Syria will be able to overcome terrorism, separatism, American forces’ occupation and the looting of this country’s natural resources.” 
The foreign minister also stressed the need for global cooperation for the restoration of Syria and making preparations for living, so that the displaced Syrian people can return to their homes and neighboring countries will be disburdened of refugee problems. 
“Any political precondition or hypocritical approach to this issue will be unhelpful in settling this humanitarian issue and will add to its complication as well,” he said. 
Amir-Abdollahian later condemned Israel’s aggression against Syrian territories, especially civilian areas, saying the attacks are a violation of global peace and regional stability. 
He called on the international community to stand up to such acts of aggression. 
“The Zionist regime … is after spilling insecurity and covering up its domestic problems by launching blind attacks against Syria and violating international rules and regulations,” he said. 
The Syrian nation and army will certainly respond to these aggressive and antihuman measures in time, he said. 
The top diplomat finally recommended that a committee comprising of senior experts from the four countries be formed to follow up the implementation of decisions made at the meeting. 
Amir-Abdollahian was is Moscow on Wednesday to attend a quadrilateral meeting with his Syrian, Turkish and Russian foreign ministers.
He held a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad before the event, where he highlighted Iran’s readiness to help consolidate and promote the diplomatic efforts aimed at normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara. 
Turkey severed its relations with Syria in March 2012, a year after the Arab country found itself in the grip of a multi-sided civil war.
The two neighboring countries are currently taking steps toward reconciliation after 11 years.
In the last bid to mend ties between Ankara and Damascus, defense ministers and intelligence chiefs of Russia, Syria, Turkey and Iran met in Moscow late last month and discussed the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Syria.