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Iranian, Russian, Turkish top diplomats agree to help solve Syrian crisis

Russia, Iran, and Turkey pledge to pool efforts in the struggle against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra

MOSCOW, December 20. /TASS/. A common statement adopted by the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey stipulates the three countries' obligations to help settle the Syrian conflict, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Tuesday.

"The joint statement stipulates Iran, Russia and Turkey’s obligations with regard to their assistance in settling the conflict in Syria," he said.

"We’re moving forward very seriously, logically and consistently. Also, humanitarian aid will be provided and a political solution will be searched for, ensuring respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Syria while the emphasis will be on the political solution as the final settlement of the Syrian issue," he said.

The joint statement by the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey contains a pledge to pool efforts in the struggle against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra (both outlawed in Russia), as well as other related terrorist organizations, Zarif said.

"In our statement today we say that the three countries pledge to fight together against the Islamic State, Jabhat al-Nusra and the affiliated organizations," Zarif said.

"We also pledged to separate these groups from other forces in Syria," he said. "This is the first, very important and very necessary step towards creating conditions for a permanent, lasting ceasefire in Syria."

According to Zarif, the meeting’s participants believe that Syria needs serious international assistance in combating terrorism, putting an end to violence and delivering humanitarian aid to civilians.

"We hope that Iran, Russia and Turkey’s joint efforts will help end the predicaments that the Syrian people have been facing as well as eliminate the terrorist threat," the Iranian foreign minister stressed. "We will help create a better future for the people of Syria and the entire region."