Joint Statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey on the International Meeting on Syria in Astana

Joint statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey

on the International Meeting on Syria in Astana

14-15 September 2017

The Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of

Turkey as guarantors of the observance of the ceasefire regime in the Syrian Arab

Republic (hereinafter referred to as "Guarantors"):

reaffirming their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence,

unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic;

guided by the provisions of UNSC resolution 2254 (2015);

welcoming the significant reduction of violence on the ground in Syria

as a result of measures aimed at maintaining and strengthening the ceasefire

regime:

1. Express their satisfaction with the progress in implementation of the

Memorandum on the creation of de-escalation areas in the Syrian Arab Republic of

4 May 2017;

2. Announce the creation of the de-escalation areas according to the

Memorandum of 4 May 2017 in eastern Ghouta, in certain parts in the north of

Homs province, in Idlib province and certain parts of the neighbouring provinces

(Latakia, Hama and Aleppo provinces) and also in certain parts of southern Syria

(based on the Russian Federation initiative as a Guarantor of the Astana process,

with the aim to ensure the ceasefire regime, territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab

Republic and continue fight against terrorism).

3. Emphasize again that the creation of the de-escalation areas and

security zones is a temporary measure the duration of which will initially be

6 months and will be automatically extended on the basis of consensus of the

Guarantors.

4. Emphasize that under no circumstances the creation of the

above-mentioned de-escalation areas undermine the sovereignty, independence,

unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.

5. Allocate the de-escalation control forces of the three Guarantors on

the basis of the maps agreed upon in Ankara on 8 September 2017 and in