The representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation
and the Republic of Türkiye as guarantor countries of the Astana Format:
1. Examined the latest international and regional developments and
emphasized the leading role of the Astana Process in promoting the lasting
settlement of the Syrian crisis.
2. Acknowledged the negative impact of the escalation of the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic.
Underlined the importance of preventing the armed confrontation area from
expanding and other states of the region from being dragged into the
confrontation .
Expressed deep concern over the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and
stressed the need to end Israeli brutal onslaught against the Palestinians
and send humanitarian aid to Gaza.Called for the
implementation of the UN General Assembly Resolution A/ES/-10/L.27 (2023)
demanding an immediate ceasefire and compliance by all parties with their
obligations under international law.
3. Reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence,
unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as to
the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and highlighted that these
principles should be universally respected and complied with.
4. Emphasized the importance of continuation of efforts for the restoration
of relations between Türkiye and Syria on the basis of mutual respect,
goodwill and good-neighborly relations in order to combat terrorism, create
proper conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrians
with the involvement of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR), revitalize the political process and ensure the unimpeded flow of
humanitarian aid to all Syrians. Welcomed the efforts of the Astana format
guarantors to this end within the framework of quadrilateral format.
5. Expressed their determination to continue working together to combat
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and stand against separatist
agendas aimed at undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Syria and threatening the national security of the neighboring countries,
including through cross-border attacks and infiltrations. Condemned
activities of terrorist groups and their affiliates operating under
different names in various parts of Syria, including attacks targeting
civilian facilities that cause civilian casualties. Highlighted the need to
fully implement all arrangements related to the north of Syria.
6. Reviewed in detail the situation in the Idlib de-escalation area and
underscored the necessity to maintain calm on the ground by fully
implementing all agreements on Idlib. Expressed their serious concern over
the presence and activities of terrorist groups that pose threat to
civilians inside and outside the Idlib de-escalation area. Agreed to make
further efforts to ensure sustainable normalization of the situation in and
around the Idlib de-escalation area, including the humanitarian situation.
7. Discussed the situation in the north-east of the Syrian Arab Republic
and agreed that constant security and stability in this region can only be
achieved on the basis of preserving the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the country. Rejected all attempts to create new realities on
the ground, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives under the pretext
of combating terrorism. Reaffirmed their determination to confront
separatist agendas that aim to undermine the unity of Syria and threaten
the national security of neighboring countries, including through
cross-border attacks and infiltration also from the west of the Euphrates.
Reiterated their opposition to the continued illegal seizure and transfer
of oil resources that should belong to Syria. Denounced all unilateral
sanctions that violate international law, international humanitarian law
and UN Charter, including all selective measures and exemptions with the
respect to specific areas in Syria that could lead the country to collapse
by facilitating the separatist agenda.
Condemned the actions of countries supporting terrorism that undermines the
unity of the Syrian state, including illegitimate self-rule initiatives in
the north-east of Syria.
Expressed grave concern with all forms of oppression by the separatist
groups against civilians in east of Euphrates which recently led to clashes
with Arab tribes in the region, including forced conscription, suppression
of peaceful demonstrations, and discriminatory practices in the field of
education as well as restrictions placed on political activities,
journalists, right to assembly and freedom of movement.
8. Condemned any efforts by any country to fuel terrorist and separatist
aspirations of individual ethnic and faith groups of population, as well as
provide them with weapons.
9. Condemned all Israeli military attacks in Syria. Considered these actions
as a violation of international law, international humanitarian law, the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, and recognized them as
destabilizing and exacerbating tensions in the region and called for the
ceasing of these attacks.
Reaffirmed the need to abide by universally recognized international legal
decisions, including the provisions of the relevant UN resolutions
rejecting the occupation of the Syrian Golan, first and foremost UN Security
Council Resolutions 242 and 497, especially that these Israeli decisions and
actions in this regard are deemed null and void and of no legal effect.
10. Expressed their conviction that there could be no military solution in
Syria and reaffirmed their commitment to advance a viable and lasting
Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, UN-facilitated political process in line with
the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
11. Underlined the important role of the Syrian Constitutional Committee,
established with the decisive contribution of the guarantor countries of
the Astana Format for the implementation of the decisions of the Syrian
National Dialogue Congress in Sochi, in promoting the political settlement
in the Syrian Arab Republic. Called for an early resumption of its work and
holding the 9 th round of its Drafting Commission while ensuring
the constructive approach by the Syrian parties. In this regard, reaffirmed
their commitment to supporting the Committee's work through continued
engagement with the Syrian parties to the Committee and the UN
Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen as facilitator
to ensure its sustainable and effective work.
Stressed the need for the Constitutional Committee to pursue its activities
without any bureaucratic and logistical barriers. Urged to immediately
ensure all the necessary conditions for the unimpeded work of the
Committee.
Expressed their conviction that in its work the Constitutional Committee
should abide by the Terms of Reference and the Core Rules of Procedure to
enable it to carry out its mandate of preparing and drafting a
constitutional reform.
12. Expressed serious concern over the humanitarian situation in Syria
further aggravated by the consequences of the devastating earthquake on 6
February 2023.
13. Emphasized the importance of continuing and increasing humanitarian
assistance to Syria in line with international law and UN General Assembly
Resolution 46/182. Called for providing adequate donor funding for
humanitarian assistance to all Syrians taking into account the increased
risk of food insecurity stemming from the reduction in the assistance
programs implemented by the WFP due to the budgetary restraints.
Took note of the decision by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic to
extend the authorization for UN humanitarian agencies to use border
crossing point Bab al-Hawa with Türkiye from 13 January to 13 July 2024 to
carry out cross-border operations to deliver aid to the civilian population
in the north-western areas of the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as two
border crossing points with Türkiye – Bab al-Salam and Al-Rai until 13
February 2024, in order to provide assistance to the areas affected by the
earthquake of 6 February 2023; highlighted the importance of continuing
uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to all Syrians through
all UN approved modalities including UN cross-border and cross-line aid to
northwest of Syria.
Emphasized the need to remove barriers and increase humanitarian assistance
to all Syrians throughout the country without discrimination,
politicization, or preconditions.
14. In order to help improve the humanitarian situation in Syria and
achieve progress in political settlement, called on the international
community, the United Nations and its humanitarian agencies to increase
their assistance to all Syrians through the implementation of the early
recovery and resilience projects, including through the restoration of
basic infrastructure assets – water and electricity supply facilities,
sanitation, health, education, schools and hospitals as well as the
humanitarian demining projects in line with international humanitarian law.
15. Stressed the need to facilitate the safe, dignified and voluntary
return of refugees and IDPs to their places of residence in Syria, and to
ensure their right of return and right to be supported. Called on the
international community to provide the necessary support to the Syrian
refugeesand IDPs and reaffirmed their readiness to
continue engaging with all relevant parties, including the Office of the
UNHCR and other specialized international agencies. Noted the importance
for continuation of work to create necessary conditions in Syria for
voluntary and dignified return of Syrians.
16. Reiterated their determination to continue operations on the mutual
release of detainees/abductees within the framework of the Working Group on
the Release of Detainees/Abductees, the Handover of the Bodies and
Identification of Missing Persons, which is a unique mechanism that has
proved both necessary and effective in building confidence between the
Syrian parties. Decided to intensify joint efforts to ensure the release of
detainees/abductees. Agreed on the need to expand the activities of the
Working Group by including the issues of the handover of bodies and
establishment of identity of missing persons. Welcomed the aspiration to
step up the activities within the Group.
17. Welcomed the participation of the delegations of Jordan, Iraq and
Lebanon as observers of the Astana Format as well as representatives of the
United Nations and the ICRC.
18. Expressed their sincere gratitude to the Kazakhstan authorities for
holding the 21 st International Meeting on Syria in Astana.
Emphasized the special role played by the Kazakhstan side as a country
hosting the International Meetings on Syria, which had been an initiator of
the Astana process and had always provided venue and hospitality to ensure
the smooth functioning of this unique multilateral mechanism.
19. Noted the agreement to hold the next Summit in the Russian Federation
as enshrined in the Joint Statement of the Tripartite Summit of 19 July
2022.
20. Agreed to convene the 22 nd International Meeting on Syria
in the second half of 2024 in Astana.