Results of the Syrian talks in Sochi
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The tenth meeting on the settlement of the Syrian conflict in the Astana format was held in Sochi on Monday and Tuesday, i.e. with the participation of the guarantor countries — Russia, Turkey and Iran. During the meeting, representatives of the Syrian authorities and the opposition discussed issues of humanitarian assistance, the situation in the northwestern province of Idlib and the project for the release of prisoners. But special attention was paid to the formation of a commission for carrying out the constitutional reform
At the end of the meeting on Tuesday, a joint communiqué of the three guarantor countries was adopted. It expresses its readiness to launch a pilot project for the exchange of prisoners and bodies of the dead, it is stated that it is necessary to increase the volume of humanitarian aid to Syria, to help in demining, to restore economic and social infrastructure. In addition, it is noted that the parties will continue joint negotiations on the formation of a constitutional commission. Theoretically, it was possible to start work on the constitution in January, when they first started talking about setting up a commission, but sharp political disagreements inside Syria have not softened since.
The only thing that changes is the martial law. The military success of Assad gives space for maneuver in the political and humanitarian spheres. In the end, this week after the defeat of the Syrian opposition in the southern region of the country, the largest insurgent coalition was formed in the north of Syria. According to a joint statement issued by the new coalition, Jabhat Tahrir Souriya (Ahrar Al-Sham and Nouriddeen Al-Zinki movements) is merging with Liwaa Suqour Al-Sham, Jaysh al-Ahrar, and Jabhat Al-Sham to form the “National Liberation Front” (NLF). https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/largest-rebel-coalition-formed-in-northern-syria/
According to the government source, this step of the rebel forces was made following the results of negotiations between Turkey and Russia in Sochi. In the course of which the struggle against the jihadist rebels Khayat Tahrir Al-Sham and their allies in Idlib was set as the first priority.
In the final communiqué, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey reaffirmed their firm commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and agreed to continue tripartite coordination in the light of their agreements. And also planned the next meeting in the Astana format for Syria for November 2018.
