CONTEMPORARY EURASIA VI( 1)
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SYRIA
On 24 November the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Armenian National Academy of Sciences held a roundtable discussion on the recent developments in Syria. The keynote speakers were researchers of the Department of Arab Countries Arax Pashayan, PhD, Gor Gevorgyan, PhD, and Ararat Kostanyan. The director of IOS, academician Ruben Safrastyan delivered an opening speech and shared his thoughts on the discussed topic.
In her speech Arax Pashayan touched upon a possible resolution of the Syrian crisis and the policy of Turkey, Iran and Russia were analyzed. A. Pashayan stressed out that, that the defeat of Daesh may bring the resolution of conflict closer. The liberation of Al- Bukamal from Daesh, a settlement on Syria-Iraq border, is of key importance as the two were competing who will reach there first. Now around 90 % of the territory of Syria is under the control of the government forces.
According to the specialist, the summit of the Presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey in Sochi in in mid-Novemberfixed, that these three countries were able to find the key to the political solution of the Syrian conflict. Russia maintained its presence in the Middle East. Turkey succeeded in strengthening its positions in Syria, counteracted the formation of Kurdish autonomy and pumped Syria’ s oil to the black market. Iran also strengthened its positions in the region. A. Pashayan said that 2-3 years ago the format Russia-Iran-Turkey was unthinkable, however it had was a significant successes.
Pashayan paid attention to the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the context of Syrian conflict.
To sum up, she concluded that the winner of the process was Syrian government, meanwhile the loser were Syrian people. Now Syria is under the influence of the countries, which were able to reach an agreement.