The quadripartite meeting would be held this month at the level of deputy foreign ministers of Syria, Russia, Iran, and Türkiye, according to media sources in Damascus.
Syria’s Al-Watan newspaper quoted informed sources in Moscow as saying that the quadripartite meeting on Syria will be held on the sidelines of the Astana Peace Talks scheduled on June 20-21.
Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Ayman Susan would represent Syria’s delegation in the meeting.
A meeting between the foreign ministers of Türkiye, Russia, Iran, and Syria was held on May 10 in Moscow, as part of “building dialogue” between Türkiye and the regime of President Bashar Assad.
The FMs agreed on preparing a roadmap to develop Turkish-Syrian ties.
While Syria considered it early to speak about appointing a Syrian committee to follow up on the roadmap, the Turkish side expressed optimism regarding normalizing ties with Syria.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad revealed in previous statements that during the recent meeting, there were “thorough discussions and sometimes intense” in which the Syrian delegation demanded omitting all that is related to normalization.
The Syrian FM stressed that normalizing ties can only come in tandem with the Turkish forces’ withdrawal from Syria.
Mekdad added that Syria is willing to engage in constructive and open dialogue to reach its desired goals, as long as it’s based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the state, and non-interference in its internal affairs.
Damascus hinges any rapprochement with Türkiye on the withdrawal of the Turkish forces from Syrian soil, ceasing support to the armed opposition groups, and abstaining from interfering in Syrian affairs.
But for now, Ankara refuses to withdraw from Syria for several national security-related reasons.
