The recent high-level summit in the Russian Black Sea city of Sochi held by the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran has become a logical continuation of the Astana peace process over Syria and opened the door to the upcoming Syrian National Dialogue Congress, politicians told Sputnik Turkey.
"From the outset we said that regional cooperation can contribute to the maintenance of security," Turkish MP from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Berat Conkar, co-chairman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee, said. "Based on the same goals pursued by Russia, Iran and Turkey, we are actively moving towards a positive outcome in resolving the Syrian conflict… For our region, such events as the last summit, are of much greater importance, [since they are aimed at] ending the chaos that prevails here and ensuring order and prosperity in the first place."
On November 22 the leaders of Russia, Turkey and Iran met in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi to discuss the progress that has been made in the Syrian settlement process and the steps necessary to ensure the complete and long-term normalization of the political and security situation in the country.
According to Conkar, the international community should participate in the process of resolving the Syrian crisis and provide the necessary support to the people of Syria.
Ozturk Yilmaz, the Turkish opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy chair responsible for foreign relations, highlighted that Ankara's attitude to the Syrian conflict has undergone serious changes. The parliamentarian noted that the AKP had initially taken a pro-American stance, however, when the US turned its back on it, the ruling party began to strengthen its ties with Russia.
While previously the AKP demanded that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should step down, today it has become clear that the participation of the Syrian leader in the peace process, at least for a certain period of time, is necessary, the politician pointed out.
"Although the official anti-Assad rhetoric still remains in place, there is actually a tendency for accepting the idea of the necessity to establish dialogue with the Syrian government," Yilmaz said.
The parliamentarian underscored that the subsequent negotiations over Syria require careful discussion on the issues of the new constitution, the territorial integrity of the state, election procedures and the possibility of an amnesty to the opposition and other society groups.
"Additionally, the reconstruction of Syria will require about $1 trillion," the opposition parliamentarian remarked raising the question as to what the contribution of the international community will be.
Hasan Bitmez, the deputy head of the opposition Turkish Saadet Party (Felicity Party), believes that the Sochi summit has become the logical result of Russia, Turkey and Iran's cooperation within the framework of the Astana format.
For his part, Yunus Soner, deputy chairman of Turkey's left-wing Vatan Party (the Patriotic Party) stressed that anti-Assad stance did not actually meet Turkey's national interests. Echoing Yilmaz, Soner noted that at the root of the anti-Assad approach lay a pro-American policy of Turkey's ex-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
"However, Turkey's national interests indicate to the government that this position cannot be maintained in the future," Soner underscored. "Thus, Turkey, albeit slowly, will abandon its anti-Assad stance."
Syrian National Dialogue Congress and the Kurdish Issue
The Turkish politicians positively evaluate the upcoming Syrian National Dialogue Congress, which is likely to gather Syrian opposition and government delegates in Russia's Sochi in December.
"We very positively look at the fact that the forces representing Syria will meet in Sochi," Soner said. "The launch of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi also means that the center of the negotiation process is transiting from Geneva to Asia. Due to this, the degree of US influence on the talks will be significantly reduced."
However, the issue of the Kurdish representation at the meeting remains a sensitive one for Ankara, which considers the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD) affiliates of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) — designated as a terrorist organization in Turkey
Speaking to Sputnik, Conkar strongly opposed the PYD's participation in the future summit: "A terrorist organization is a terrorist organization… In no political process they could be seen as a legitimate party."
According to Bitmez, Ankara's position is reasonable. The politician drew attention to the fact that the US is likely to support the PYD following the defeat of Daesh (ISIS/ISIL). At the same time, he noted, the American military are seemingly inclined to continue their presence in the region.
"Given this sensitivity on the PDS issue, demonstrated by Turkey, is quite understandable and natural," Bitmez stressed.
Meanwhile Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag told Kanal 24 TV that "if the United States does not keep its promise to cease military assistance to the YPG, then [the United States] would be deceiving the whole world."
While Turkey, being one of the three Syrian ceasefire regime guarantors, continues de-escalation efforts in Syria in the framework of the Astana process, the US has been providing support for the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the YPG, as well as the Syrian Democratic Forces, aimed at fighting Daesh.
