Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of Arab Countries and the Astana Process on Situation in Syria

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Fuad Hussein participated in a meeting in Doha, Qatar, on December 7, 2024, along with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, the Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, and from the Astana Process the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Turkey, and the Special Representative of the Russian Federation to Syria, to discuss the developments of the situation in Syria.

The joint meeting released the following statement :

the Foreign Ministers of a number of Arab countries met with their counterparts from the countries participating in the Astana Process, at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha on December 7, 2024, to discuss the situation in Syria, especially the recent developments.

The meeting was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Iraq from the Arab countries. The Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran,  the Republic of Türkiye  and representative of the Russian Federation  from the Astana Process.

The participants stressed in a joint statement regarding the recent events in Syria, that the continuation of the Syrian crisis constitutes a dangerous development for the safety of the country and regional and international security, which requires all parties to seek a political solution to the Syrian crisis that leads to end of military operations, and  protection of civilians from the repercussions of this crisis. They also agreed on the importance of strengthening joint international efforts to increase humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and ensuring its sustainable and unhindered access to all affected areas.

Their Highnesses and Excellencies stressed the need to stop military operations in preparation for launching a comprehensive political process, based on Security Council Resolution 2254, to put an end to the military escalation that leads to the shedding of more innocent and defenseless blood and prolonging the crisis, and to preserve the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and to Protect it from slipping into chaos and terrorism and ensure the voluntary return of refugees and the displaced.

The attendees stressed the importance to continue close consultation and coordination among them in order to contribute effectively to finding a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis, in a way that achieves the aspirations of the Syrian people for security, stability and justice, in addition to enhancing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability in the region.

At the end of the meeting, the attendees listened to a briefing from the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pederson, and affirmed their support for the UN efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis based on Security Council Resolution 2254.