OREANDA-NEWS  Russia, Syria and Turkey have created an expert mechanism to coordinate further work at a meeting between the Defense Ministry at the end of December 2022, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said. Also, according to him, Iran wants to join the negotiation process.

"The issue of promoting normalization of relations between Syria and Turkey was raised during the Astana Troika summit in Tehran last summer. In December, President Erdogan took the initiative to launch multi-level consultations between representatives of the SAR and Turkey with the assistance of Russia, which could culminate in a summit meeting. We vigorously supported her," Mikhail Bogdanov told RIA Novosti.

Mikhail Bogdanov added that work is underway to organize a meeting of the foreign Ministers of Russia, Iran, Turkey and Syria. According to him, Moscow supported Tehran's desire to join the negotiation process.

"The main thing is that both "interested parties" — the Syrian and Turkish sides - agreed with this. Currently, the modalities of organizing a quadrilateral meeting at the level of foreign ministers with the participation of Iran are being worked out," Mr. Bogdanov said.

According to him, the stay of Turkish troops in Syria will be temporary. Mr. Bogdanov added that the differences between Turkey and Syria can be overcome.

On December 27, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the heads of departments discussed the situation in Syria, as well as the fight against extremists in this country. Syria positively assessed the results of the meeting. Earlier, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that another meeting within the framework of trilateral negotiations would be held in February.