MESOP NEWS : WE DO IT ! FOR US A SECOND HAND SEAT ! – Tehran-Russia-Turkey Discuss Next Syria Steps – Cevikoz then joined the discussion.

 January 14 – 2017 – eaworldview – Scutt Lucas – With a self-imposed deadline for political talks approaching, Iran has conferred with Russia and Turkey over the next steps in the Syrian crisis. Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Jaberi Ansari met senior Russian and Turkish counterparts Mikhail Bogdanov and Ahmet Unal Cevikoz in Moscow on Friday.Last month, following the reoccupation of all of Aleppo city by pro-Assad forces, the three countries’ Foreign Ministers announced their intention for a ceasefire and regime-opposition discussions in Kazakhstan by the end of January.

However, there has been division over the prospective outcome of any talks. Turkey is still publicly committed to President Assad’s eventual departure, while Iran has insisted that the issue is a “red line” which cannot be crossed. Russia has maintained a cautious position on the issue. Iran has also supported the Assad regime in the breaking of the December 29 ceasefire announced by Russia and Turkey, notably in the offensive to try and capture the Wadi Barada area northwest of Damascus.

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement on Ansari’s meeting with Bogdanov said, “The two diplomats stressed the importance of maintaining close dialogue between Moscow and Tehran on the Syrian crisis and on other current issues of the regional agenda.”

Cevikoz then joined the discussion.

The meetings followed a telephone conversation between Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thurday. Iranian State media said Rouhani assured “the Islamic Republic of Iran is content with closer cooperation among Ankara, Tehran and Moscow to bring about peace in the region”. www.mesop.de