Foreign ministers of Russia, Turkey and Iran hold counter-terrorism talks in Moscow

Moscow today is hosting the trilateral negotiations between Russian, Turkish and Iranian foreign ministers. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu have laid flowers near the Russian Foreign Ministry's hall of receptions in memory of Ambassador Andrey Karlov. 

Lavrov said at a meeting with Cavusoglu that Russia is thankful to Turkey for its immediate reaction to the barbaric murder. "We are grateful to the Turkish colleagues for the instant reaction to this barbaric crime and for the condolences," TASS cited Lavrov as saying.

The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that the trilateral meeting between Russia, Turkey and Iran will allow to reach agreements that would promote the process of settling the Syrian crisis without sparing terrorists.

"I expect some agreements to be reached at our meeting as well as at the upcoming trilateral meeting, that would promote the process of settling the Syrian crisis and create favorable conditions for political negotiations and humanitarian aid deliveries at the same time ensuring zero tolerance towards terrorists," Lavrov stressed.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, in turn, said that Ankara will do everything possible to investigate the assassination of Karlov and those responsible for it will get the punishment they deserve.

"Both Turkey and Russia realize that the attack was aimed at damaging bilateral relations and compromising the achievements that have been made recently. Turkey and Russia should not let the organizers’ of this crime reach their goals. We should find out who is behind this heinous crime, we can succeed if we work together," Cavusoglu stressed.

"We will do everything possible in order to establish all the circumstances of this crime and identify those involved in it. Those responsible will get the punishment they deserve," he concluded.

Cavusoglu once again strongly condemned the crime committed against Andrey Karlov. "Russia has always sent its best diplomats to Ankara which once again proves that you place great importance on the development of our relations. The Turkish people are mourning with the people of Russia," the Turkish diplomat said.

Then, a meeting between Lavrov and Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was held. The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that the war on terrorism must be uncompromising and merciless. "We feel that this barbaric crime is a fresh reminder the war on terrorism must be uncompromising and merciless," he said, thanking Iran for the "manifestations of solidarity over the terrorist attack that claimed the life of Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov".

"These people are trying to protect terrorists and stop the fight against them. The attempts to make the world believe that the support of the legitimate Syrian regime only increases the terrorist threat, are absolutely unacceptable," he stressed.

"If the organizers of this terrorist attack intended to thwart the fight against terrorism and our meeting, in particular, they have failed to do this and will fail," Lavrov said, adding that he hopes the countries would come up with “the most effective and concrete steps” to normalise the situation in Syria and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to desperate civilians.

Zarif said it is a good time for restarting the intra-Syrian talks.

"It is a good time for helping Syrian people and for the start of the talks on the search of a political solution of the Syrian crisis," Zarif said, adding that the problem should be solved only by political means.

Cooperation of Russia, Turkey and Iran on Aleppo has brought about positive results but should spread to other districts of Syria, Cavusoglu said at the beginning of a trilateral meeting with his Russian and Iranian counterparts.

"Our cooperation format has already brought about definite successes. Now we would like to spread it to other districts of Syria," he said.

It is important to establish truce on the entire territory of Syria. Naturally, terrorist groups, such as the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra  must be excluded from it," he stressed.

The other priorities include "providing humanitarian assistance to all those needy in Syria without any discrimination," the Turkish foreign minister said.

Mevlut Cavusoglu said that today’s meeting between the Turkish, Iranian and Russian parties will be crucial for the Syrian settlement. "The best solution for Syria is a political solution and we must focus on it. I’m confident that today’s meeting will be crucial for the political future of Syria," the Turkish foreign minister said.