syria-un-20180316-1 4

4/23/2018 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statement and answers to media questions at a joint news conference with Iranian Foreign Minister Mo… http://www.mid.ru/en/press_service/minister_speeches/-/asset_publisher/7OvQR5KJWVmR/content/id/3121196 4/7 In conclusion, I would like to note once again that the Astana format continues to develop successfully. But it is even more important not to stop after these achievements and to expand the accumulated potential. Today’s meeting confirms our common desire to continue our joint work in the interests of a reliable and long-term Syrian peace settlement. The agreed-upon joint statement made by the three ministers, being circulated after our meeting, reflects our assessments and future plans. We have also agreed to prepare for a regular summit of the three countries’ leaders, scheduled for April 4 in Turkey. This event is acquiring particular significance today and is called on to strengthen our coordinated efforts for achieving equitable peace in Syria. I am confident that as soon as this goal is achieved, it will positively influence the overall situation in the Middle East. I would like to thank our colleagues for this extremely close cooperation. We would like to thank our Kazakhstani hosts once again. I am confident that this is not our last meeting in hospitable Kazakhstan. Question: Did you agree today to extend the duration of the de-escalation zones? If so, how long will they function? Will the extension last six months, as usual, or any other term? Did you discuss the possibility of expanding these de-escalation zones to include new territories including the Afrin area? I would like to clarify the remarks by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu: Do I understand correctly that a congress similar to the one in Sochi will be held in Istanbul and later in Iran? Sergey Lavrov: I would like to start with this. The interpretation was inaccurate. It implies that the November 22 Sochi summit with the Presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey would not be a one-time event. The next summit of the three presidents is scheduled for April 4 in Turkey. After that, we will, naturally, be ready to accept an invitation from our Iranian friends. We are not talking about a congress, as mentioned by the interpreter, so we ask you not to create any ambiguity in the media. Regarding your first question, the de-escalation zones continue to function, and these zones are not permanent, as was noted during their creation. This regime has already been extended once. When the current period expires, we will decide on the future of the zones, with due consideration for the situation on the ground and the developments around the zones. We are interested in ending the violations of the ceasefire as soon as possible. And what is also important, we are interested in establishing contacts between the local authorities inside the de-escalation zones and the Syrian government agencies on maintaining normal human life and supporting the local population. This is a key aspect of the de-escalation zone concept. We did not discuss expanding them or the creation of new zones. Question: Only yesterday, efforts by the Russian Centre for the Reconciliation of Opposing Sides enabled 12,000 people to leave Eastern Ghouta. How would you explain the fact that the UN is not playing a role in this process? Are you satisfied with the UN’s overall contribution to the Geneva process to establish a constitutional committee? Sergey Lavrov: I have already shared information on Eastern Ghouta. As you have said, more than 12,000 civilians left Eastern Ghouta, and this process continues. I just received a phone call from Moscow. I apologise for having to answer the phone call, but it was on the subject we are now discussing. There are serious problems: people are leaving the area, but the militants are trying t