Syrian children in Idlib.
European Union and the United Nations have expressed support for the Sochi agreement between Russia and Turkey on the stabilization of Syria, the EU said on Friday.
Following a meeting of Special UN Syria Envoy Staffan de Mistura and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini in Brussels, a statement said the representatives "discussed the latest developments in the Syria crisis, particularly the situation in Idlib."
According to the statement, Mistura and Mogherini highlighted "the need for a full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding that was reached by the Presidents of Russia and of Turkey."
Germany on Friday expressed hope that the upcoming Istanbul summit on Syria would contribute to “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone.Martina Fietz, government’s deputy spokeswoman, told a news conference in Berlin that Merkel will travel to Istanbul on Oct. 27, for the quadrilateral summit between leaders of Turkey, Russia, Germany and France.“Some of the agenda items will include situation in Idlib, support for the Sochi agreement between Russia and Turkey on the stabilization of Syria. In addition to that, progress in the UN-led political process, in particular the commencement of the work of the constitutional commission will be discussed,” she said.Fietz reaffirmed Germany’s support for the Sochi agreement, and expressed hope the Istanbul summit will contribute to its implementation.“There is an expectation for a gradual process for the stabilization of Syria. Indeed this would be a long and difficult process,” she added.The meeting, which will be hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will also see the participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron.Russia's Putin to discuss Syrian refugees at summit in Istanbul
Germany hopeful of Syria summit in Istanbul
It said: "Furthermore, they stressed the importance of the establishment of the constitutional committee in order to restart the process for a credible, political transition in Syria."
"In particular, the High Representative and the Special Envoy discussed ways in which the European Union can support this process, including in the run up to the Brussels III Conference next spring.
Mogherini also expressed the full support of the EU for Mistura's work ahead of his visit to the Syrian capital Damascus, where he intends to advance preparations to convey the first meeting of the constitutional committee in November.
A Turkish university opened a vocational training school in northwestern Syrian city of Jarabulus.Turkey continues its efforts to normalize the life in the city following the Operation Euphrates Shield -- which liberated northern Syrian region from terrorists between August 2016 and March 2017.The last of a string of efforts in security, health, service and education, Turkey’s Gaziantep University launched a school in Jarabulus, which trains 160 students in different areas, including, first aid, theology and office administration.Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Abdullatif al-Mohammed, the regional training officer, said the training addresses the needs of the region.Video: Turkey opens vocational training school in Syria'Istanbul summit on Syria aimed at avoiding new humanitarian disaster'Abdurrahman Muhammed, an office management student, expressed his content for continuing his college education."I hope more students will benefit our school. The graduates will have a major contribution to the region," he said.Abdullah Isa, a student in first aid department, thanked Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their contribution to Syrians' education."Gaziantep University gave us the opportunity to complete our education we could not complete due to the civil war. We will contribute to the region's development," he said.Quadrilateral summit on Syria to be held in IstanbulUN praises changes for the better in Syria
Turkey opens vocational training school in Syria
Following a meeting in Russia’s port city of Sochi last month between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the two countries agreed to establish the Idlib demilitarized zone.
Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss conditions for the return of refugees to Syria at a summit next week in Istanbul of the leaders of Russia, Turkey, France and Germany, the Interfax news agency cited the Kremlin as saying on Friday.Putin also plans to discuss the reconstruction of infrastructure in Syria at the summit on Oct. 27, the Kremlin was cited as saying. 'Istanbul summit on Syria aimed at avoiding new humanitarian disaster'
Russia's Putin to discuss Syrian refugees at summit in Istanbul
The leaders of France, Germany, Turkey and Russia will meet on Oct 27 in Istanbul to discuss the war in Syria and identify ways of avoiding a humanitarian catastrophe in the country's Idlib region, the French presidency said on Friday.President Emmanuel Macron's office said Paris wanted to ensure a ceasefire in Idlib remained in place to prevent a new exodus of refugees and to provide new momentum for peace talks. Quadrilateral summit on Syria to be held in Istanbul
'Istanbul summit on Syria aimed at avoiding new humanitarian disaster'