Lavrov reveals preparations for holding a Russian-Turkish-Iranian-Syrian meeting soon to consider normalizing relations between Damascus and Ankara
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Russia, Türkiye, Syria and Iran are scheduled to hold another meeting in the foreseeable future to discuss normalizing relations between Ankara and Damascus.
Lavrov added in an interview with the Russian RT channel, that “with great efforts, we were able last year to hold meetings with the participation of the ministries of defense, foreign ministries and intelligence services, where we tried to negotiate conditions that could be achieved”.
Lavrov pointed out, “We aim to normalize relations between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Türkiye. Representatives from Syria, Türkiye, Russia and Iran participated in these meetings, and I am confident that this will happen in the foreseeable future”.
Regarding the US presence in Syria, Lavrov continued, “the United States doesn’t solve any problems related to combating terrorism in Syria, but rather exports oil, gas and grain from there”.
He stressed that the Americans are imposing brutal sanctions, including the Caesar Act on the lands they control, and money is being invested there where the richest oil and gas fields are located, and the most fertile agricultural lands, which are being exploited mercilessly.
Earlier, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov announced on Friday that organizing a meeting between Syrian President Bashar al Assad and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan requires serious preparations, and that Moscow is ready to accept holding this meeting there.
“It would be very good for the presidents to meet, but I think serious preparation for such a meeting is required, and we are always ready to hold trilateral meetings in Moscow, I mean with two directly interested parties, official representatives of Damascus and Ankara,” Bogdanov told reporters.
He continued, “Of course, we are in contact with the Iranians and the Iraqis, because they are also very interested in normalizing relations between Syria and Türkiye, which will have a positive impact on the general situation in Syria and its surroundings”.
Bogdanov added, “We support the process of normalizing relations between the Republic of Türkiye and Syria, on the basis of mutual recognition of the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of the two neighboring countries”.
Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he was working to organize a meeting between Erdogan and Assad, but it was too early to talk about anything concrete, he said.
In the same context, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia, like other countries, is interested in improving relations between Türkiye and Syria, in response to a question about whether Moscow is preparing for a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al Assad.
