BRICS leaders said in the Fortaleza Declaration adopted at the VI BRICS Summit held in Brazil, “We express deep concern over the risks of terrorism in Syria and condemn any act of terrorism.”

“We call upon all parties to put an end to the terrorist acts committed by Al-Qaeda-linked armed terrorist groups and other terrorist groups in Syria,” Fortaleza Declaration said.

The declaration welcomed Syria’s joining to the Chemical Weapons Convention, asserting the importance of the complete removal of the Syrian chemical weapons.

The BRICS leaders called on all Syrian parties and the relevant external players to work closely together and with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN to guarantee the safety of the elimination mission in its final stage.

“We recall that dialogue and national reconciliation are the key to the political solution to the crisis in Syria,” the declaration said, adding that a comprehensive political process, led by the Syrians, will lead to peace, effective protection of the civilians and the realization of the aspirations of the Syrian people for prosperity, freedom and respect of Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial unity.

The summit meeting of heads of state of BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa concluded in the Brazilian capital city Brasilia on Wednesday.

NTJ/NJF