Iran, Russia, Turkey Discuss Path Forward on Syria

The foreign ministers of Russia, Iran and Turkey on Saturday called for an immediate end to violence and access to humanitarian aid in war-wrecked Syria, reiterated their support for the country's territorial integrity and condemned any use of chemical weapons.    
The talks between Mohammad Javad Zarif of Iran, Russia's Sergey Lavrov and Mevlut Cavusoglu of Turkey were held in the wake of coordinated airstrikes by US, British and French forces against Syrian targets on April 14, which were carried out in response to an alleged chemical attack by government forces. Damascus denies the allegation. 
In a statement issued at the end of the three-sided meeting, they "reaffirmed their commitment to continue their joint efforts with the aim of protecting civilians and improve the humanitarian situation through facilitating immediate, safe and unrestricted humanitarian access to all those in need," Iran's Foreign Ministry reported.  
The three officials also said the ground should be prepared for the return of Syrians displaced by the seven-year-old conflict.  
The statement called for an international investigation by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, rejecting any action carried out under the pretext of fighting terrorism that would undermine the Arab country's national sovereignty. 
In addition, they agreed to hold the next meeting on Syria in Astana, Kazakhstan, in June.