Syria, neighboring countries meeting release final statement

A meeting took place in the Jordanian capital, Amman, today, involving the foreign ministers, defense ministers, chiefs of staff, and intelligence heads from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Republic of Turkey, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Republic of Iraq, and the Lebanese Republic.

The primary focus of the meeting was to discuss ways to support the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country based on principles that ensure Syria's unity, sovereignty, security, and stability.

Read more: Joint press conference of Syria, neighboring countries' foreign ministers

Additionally, the participants emphasized the importance of addressing terrorism and ensuring the safe, voluntary, and sustainable return of Syrian refugees, while protecting the rights of all Syrians.

Following the meeting, a joint statement was issued, which included the following key points:

• The participants affirmed their support for the Syrian people in their efforts to rebuild their country on the basis of ensuring Syria’s security, stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the safety and rights of its citizens.

• The security and stability of Syria are fundamental to regional peace and stability. The participants condemned all attempts and groups that threaten Syria’s security, sovereignty, and peace.

• The meeting condemned the "Israeli" aggression on Syrian soil, as well as "Israeli" attempts to intervene in Syrian affairs. This, they stated, is a blatant violation of international law and an assault on Syria’s sovereignty. They called for the international community, including the UN Security Council, to uphold international law and ensure "Israel’s" withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories, respecting the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and "Israel".

• The participants welcomed the outcomes of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference and encouraged the Syrian people to expedite the adoption of the constitutional declaration proposed by the conference.

• A strong condemnation of all forms of terrorism was expressed, alongside a commitment to collaborate in fighting terrorism militarily, security-wise, and ideologically. They announced the creation of a joint operations center for coordinating efforts against Daesh, and to support existing regional and international initiatives aimed at eliminating the terrorist organization and addressing Daesh prisons.

• The countries agreed to cooperate in combatting cross-border smuggling of drugs, arms, and organized crime, while also offering support to Syria in enhancing its capabilities to address these challenges.

• The meeting emphasized the importance of supporting Syria in its reconstruction efforts and urged the international community to increase aid targeting early recovery projects, thereby boosting Syria’s capacity to rebuild and overcoming any obstacles hindering this process.

• There was a call to lift sanctions imposed on Syria to help facilitate its reconstruction and meet the needs of the Syrian people.

• Strengthening economic, trade, and investment cooperation was highlighted, particularly in infrastructure development, including energy and transport sectors between Syria and its neighboring countries, to support economic growth in the region.

• The participants committed to working together with the international community and UN agencies to create the necessary conditions for the safe and sustainable return of Syrian refugees, in accordance with international law. They called on the international community to continue its responsibilities towards refugees in host countries until their safe return to Syria is completed.

• A second round of meetings will be held in Turkey next month to build on the discussions and decisions made in today’s meeting.