DUBAI/ANKARA/MOSCOW, 12 March, 2021, (TON): Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Turkey, Russia, and Qatar are making a joint attempt to promote a political solution to Syria’s 10-year conflict.

“Today we launched a new trilateral consultation process,” Cavusoglu said on Thursday after talks in Doha with Russian and Qatari foreign ministers. “Our goal is to discuss how we can contribute to efforts towards a lasting political solution in Syria.”

In a joint statement after the talks, the ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to “preserving the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity” of Syria.

Turkey and Qatar have backed fighters who sought to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Moscow provided military support which helped al-Assad seize back most of the country.

Diminishing Syrian suffering

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the ministers had also discussed mechanisms for delivering humanitarian aid across the whole of Syria, adding “there is a crucial need to lessen the suffering of the Syrians”.

He said the purposes behind Syria's suspension from the Arab League in 2011 remain, while Cavusoglu said ongoing global commitment with al-Assad's administration frustrated endeavors for a political arrangement by giving it more authenticity.