ISTANBUL, September 27. /TASS/. Saturday’s summit of Russia, Turkey, Germany and France to discuss the Syrian issue was "productive" and demonstrated that the participants share the common goal of political settlement, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
"The meeting demonstrated that there is common determination to solve the problem," the German leader said. "A joint solution can be achieved not through military means, but only through political effort under the UN aegis."
Merkel said that elections would become a logical continuation of the political process.
"We need transparent elections, that will be held under supervision of international observers. Refugees should take part in this process as well," she went on, adding that this was issue was reflected in the summit’s final communique.
The German chancellor said the Syrians must determine their future themselves. "This conflict cannot be solved by political means," she continued.
Merkel also noted that the September 17 agreements between Russia and Turkey to set up a buffer zone in the province of Idlib should evolve into a full-fledged ceasefire, and progress on this issue is already visible.
"Today we undertook to do our best to turn this agreement into a long-term ceasefire," Merkel said. "This process needs to continue.".