Protecting the political unity and territorial integrity in neighboring Syria is a priority, the Turkish president said Wednesday.

"Maintaining the political unity and territorial integrity of Syria, the establishment of calm on the ground, and a lasting solution to the conflict is our priority," Recep Tayyip Erdogan told a video link summit of the leaders of Turkey, Russia, and Iran summit under the Astana process on Wednesday, according to Anadolu Agency.

The Turkish President expressed his condolence to Iranian leaders and people over the death of a number of Iranians in an explosion at a clinic in Iran on Wednesday and stressed that “The trilateral summit process under the Astana format has made critical contributions to the establishment of peace, security, and stability in Syria.

The online meeting on Wednesday was the the sixth one under the format.

“Turkey has been standing with our Syrian brothers and sisters since the start of the conflict,” Erdogan said, underscoring that Ankara has welcomed millions of Syrians without discrimination since the start of the war in 2011.

"We'll continue to do our best to provide peace, security, and stability in our neighbor Syria," he said.

“The cooperation we will show as Astana guarantors will, no doubt, determine the future of this country,” he added.

The trilateral meeting was held with the attendance of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The Astana process was launched by Russia, Turkey, and Iran in January 2017, to bring all warring parties in Syria to the negotiating table as a complementary part of the UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva.

According to Anadolu News Agency the Turkish president further added that the three countries of Iran, Turkey and Russia are the guardians of the Astana Peace Talks which will have a decisive role in the future of Syria, expressing his appreciation over any attempts that helps holding the summit.

Reporter’s code: 50101