Turkey, Iran, Russia plan online Astana summit over Syria: FM

Turkey, Russia and Iran plan to hold a trilateral summit of the leaders on the issue of Syria via a video conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

Speaking to NTV broadcaster, the minister said it was Iran's turn to host the next Astana summit, but they are mulling a trilateral meeting via videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ankara and Moscow have agreed on the leaders' videoconference, and they are waiting for Iran's response about the date, Cavusoglu said.

The minister underline the importance of the political process in Syria, stressing that it is important to include the Syrian government in the process.

"The regime needs to approach the process sincerely. It is important that the cease-fire continues and we are working for it," he said.

The Astana process was launched by Russia, Turkey and Iran in January 2017 in an effort to bring all warring parties in Syria to the negotiating table as a complementary part of the UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)