Russia Mediates Between Syria, Turkey on Border Region
Arab World
Moscow - Raed Jabr
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow is working to reach an agreement between Syria and Turkey on the border arrangements. Speaking at the Valdai Forum for Strategic Dialogue in Sochi, Lavrov asserted that Russia wants to keep the border issue active between Syria and Turkey, believing the parties may reach an agreement. Moscow has avoided declaring a clear objection to Ankara's plans to establish a safe zone along the border, saying it understands the legitimate demands to maintain Turkey's security, however, it is necessary to open dialogue with the Syrian government. The United States did not want Turkey to cooperate directly with the Syrian Arab Republic, Lavrov told the forum. He added that Washington wanted to control this issue as well as that of the border, and during the negotiations, it allowed Ankara to form a coalition of some military policemen and observers. The Minister believes that reaching a deal will be good, but noted that it must be based on full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. Lavrov added that the US does not respect Syria's territorial integrity, nor does it take into account Turkey's legitimate concerns about border security. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long warned that he cannot wait forever without solving the issue, so if there is no agreement with the US according to these principles within a few weeks, he has the right to solve this problem without them, said Lavrov. Despite his strong criticism of Washington, Lavrov spoke of what he described as a glimpse of "sound thinking” that emerged during talks with US and Western officials. Lavrov expressed Moscow's hope that the United Nations will be impartial in its assistance to the Constitutional Commission, noting that the work that awaits everyone in the future is “much harder” than before. He stressed that the Astana trio, meaning Russia, Turkey, and Iran, will not stand idly by and will do its utmost to prevent any outside interference in the negotiations between the Syrians. Lavrov touched on Russia's desire to maintain its military presence in Syria at the Hmeimim Air Base and Tartus naval base, pointing out that this presence comes with the approval of the legitimate government, which is a member state of the UN. Russia intends to use this presence to support security and peace in this country and region only, without trying to impose its will on anyone, he concluded.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1929711/russia-mediates-between-syria-turkey-border-region
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