29 Mar 2024
Saturday 31 October 2015 - 13:42
Story Code : 186595

Participants of Vienna talks agree on measures for Syria crisis regulation

The participants of the two-day talks in Vienna on the Syrian settlement have reached mutual understanding on the countrys unity, the need to defeat extremist groups, and helping refugees, as well as on the fact that the Syrian people must decide on the future of their state.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) On Thursday, the top diplomats fromthe United States, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey convened inthe Austrian capital forthe first roundof talks.

They were joined byofficials fromChina, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United Nations onFriday.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called the talks, where the sides agreed ona 9-point plan onSyrian settlement, "difficult butconstructive."

The international negotiators would resume talks onSyria intwo weeks, according toa provision included inthe final communique.

United, Peaceful Syria

According tothe communique, Syrias "unity, independence, territorial integrity, and secular character are fundamental." State institutions inthe country must remain intact, while the rights ofall Syrians must be protected, irrespective oftheir ethnicity ofreligious beliefs.

The sides agreed toexpedite diplomatic efforts and explore together withthe United Nations the approach and the implementation ofthe ceasefire, "to be initiated ona date certain and inparallel withthis renewed political process."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the ceasefire was only discussed ingeneral terms, and no specific dates were set.

"Nobody has coordinated any conditions exceptfor the one that [the ceasefire] will not apply toterrorist groups and the fight againstthese terrorist groups," Lavrov said atthe meeting.

US State Secretary John Kerry said he believed that the chances forthe diplomatic settlement ofthe conflict were higher thanbefore.

The communique also envisions humanitarian access throughoutthe Syrian territory, aswell asincreased support forinternally and externally displaced people.

Intra-Syrian Political Process

According tothe communique, the representatives ofthe Syrian government and the opposition will meet underthe UN auspices todiscuss "credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance," aswell asfair elections and a new constitution. The United Nations will supervise the elections, inwhich all Syrians will be eligible toparticipate.

"This political process will be Syrian led and Syrian owned, and the Syrian people will decide the future ofSyria," one ofthe provisions stipulates.

The sides were, however, unable toagree onthe role ofSyrian President Bashar Assad. Some ofthe participants were demanding he resign, while others believe that his fate must be decided bythe people ofSyria.

"There is no agreement betweenus [negotiators] onhow todecide onBashar Assad's future. Russia is convinced that the Syrian people themselves should address the issue incontext ofthe political process," Lavrov told a news conference inVienna.

The top Russian diplomat also pointed outthat he did not see a united opposition delegation. According toLavrov, UN Special Envoy forSyria Staffan de Mistura and his colleagues would be dealing withthis issue.

De Mistura called onall countries that have influence overthe sides tothe Syrian conflict toconvince them tostart dialogue.

Eraducation ofTerrorists

The 9-point plan envisages defeating all terrorist groups asdesignated bythe UN Security Council, including the Islamic State.

"We have agreed on, and this is reflected inthe joint communique, tofirmly and consistently fight againstISIL and other terrorist structures asrecognized bythe UN Security Council, aswell ashold further consultations toagree ona list ofother organizations, which are not yet included inthe UN lists, butare clearly terrorist," Lavrov clarified.

Kerry stressed that the Islamic State and other groups could never be allowed tounite.

Military Participation ofMoscow, Washington

"From the very beginning ofour [air] campaign inSyria, which, I stress, is carried outat the request ofthe Syrian leadership, we have proposed the United States tonegotiate onthe coordination ofour actions. So far, our US counterparts have only agreed toa mechanism toavoid unexpected incidents. But we are confident that we can do more, and more effectively fight againstterrorists," Lavrov told reporters.

According tothe minister, Moscow believes that the anti-terrorism fight must be based oninternational law.

"Russia insists that the fight againstterrorism should be based oninternational law, which stipulates that military operations byair forces or land forces [must be carried out] withthe approval ofa related government and based onthe decision ofthe UN Security Council," Lavrov stressed.

Russia has been conducting a military operation againstthe ISIL onAssads request, while the United States has decided tosend overmilitary advisors tohelp the so-called moderate opposition.

On Friday, US media reported the Obama administration will deploy upto 50 commandos tonorthern Syria. Two small US teams will assess the security situation onthe ground and coordinate withlocal Syrian forces.

"We are investing intwo parts approach, speaking forthe United States, we are intensifying our counter-Daesh campaign and we are intensifying outdiplomatic efforts inorder toend the conflict," Kerry said.

Lavrov stressed that the decision tosend US ground servicemen toSyria makes the issue ofMoscow-Washington coordination even more urgent.

The probability ofUS and Russian forces coming intoconflict inSyria amidthe US advisors deployment tothe country is low, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said onFriday.

Syria has been mired ina civil war since2011. Syrian government forces are fighting againstopposition factions and extremist groups.

By Sputnik News

 
https://theiranproject.com/vdcdn90fkyt0jk6.em2y.html
Your Name
Your Email Address